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Terras given stern test by organised islanders
By Ky Capel
A well-organised Portland side couldn't stop Weymouth's pre-season
campaign as the Terras came away with a 2-0 win at Grove Corner
last night.
A Gavin McCallum strike and a Brian Glover spot-kick sealed
the victory for the visitors.
Terras' boss Jason Tindall was happy with the result.
"We're getting into a winning mentality which is good.
"Our first half performance wasn't the best, but we
stepped it up after the break and got the two goals which
was nice.
"I knew this wouldn't be an easy game for us and they
showed that with their organisation, they also put us under
pressure at times.
"I was pleased for Gavin to get his goal. All the guys
on trial did well, the only problem is the finances and they
dictate who we can and can't have, so we will have to see what
happens."
Playing tougher opposition the Dorset Premier side's manager,
Dave Kiteley, was proud of his players' attitudes.
He said: "We kept our shape and we were well disciplined,
and that's what I asked for, if the players hadn't done that
then we would have been hammered by Weymouth.
"I was delighted for young Warren Boyt in goal, it was
his first team debut but he made some excellent saves.
"It was good to see that we created chances as well,
that will give us confidence, which we must carry on into
our league campaign.
"Tonight was about patience from our boys when they
didn't have the ball, and the lads did that well."
Despite relentless Weymouth pressure in the first half, including
11 corners for the Wessex Stadium outfit, it was the home
side who came closest to opening the scoring.
A corner from the right by Ross Doidge in the 35th minute
found Lewis Whyton all on his own at the back post, and the
striker kept his eye on the ball to smash a volley across
Jon Stewart's goal. Unfort-unately for Whyton though his effort
smacked the foot of the post.
Weymouth's best effort of the half fell to Kyle Critchell
in the penalty area but his first-time strike was saved brilliantly
from 17-year-old keeper Boyt, who had an impressive debut
for the islanders.
Boyt was finally beaten though just after the hour when Stuart
Douglas turned well and released McCallum who found himself
one-on-one with the young stopper.
Despite getting a hand to the Canadian's shot, Boyt was unable
to prevent the ball crossing the line.
Twenty minutes later the Terras extended their lead thanks
to Glover's well-placed penalty.
Critchell played a great ball through to Glover who was then
tripped on his way towards goal. He then picked himself up
and dispatched the spot-kick, sending Boyt the wrong way in
the process.
Chances were rare in the second half for Portland, but they
did have the last shot of the game when Doidge hit a fierce
20-yard effort, but Stewart was up to the job and saved comfortably.
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