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Sido saves Terras
By Nigel Biddlecombe
HONOURS were shared as Weymouth and Salisbury City met for
the second time in five days, this time in the Blue Square
Premier.
However, Weymouth will feel they should have taken maximum
points from the Raymond McEnhill Stadium as they bossed the
majority of this fixture.
Within the opening minute Stuart Beavon saw a shot scrambled
clear while Justin Roberts was just wide with an effort.
Nick Crittenden, who was causing the home side problems with
his running on the right flank, produced a superb cross after
11 minutes but there was no one to take advantage of it.
Conal Platt shot wide, Beavon had another effort saved well
by Whites' keeper Ryan Clarke and superb build-up involving
Beavon and Platt culminated in Beavon back-heeling a return
pass into Platt's path. Sadly the Terras' man's shot went
well wide.
Weymouth were well in control in the first half with the
hosts' only serious attack coming in the 31st minute when
Ian Herring broke from his own half only to be denied by a
magnificent block from Kyle Critchell.
There were chances at the other end. Danny Phillips saw his
effort deflected for a corner, Crittenden's shot was well saved
and Sido Jombarti fired a free-kick too high.
The Terras lost striker Beavon through a recurrence of a
rib problem just before the break. He suffered the original
injury in the Setanta Shield clash last Saturday.
If the first half had ended badly the second half started
disastrously when slack defending allowed the home side to
take the lead after just 40 seconds with their first serious
shot of the game.
Weymouth failed to deal with Herring's throw from the right-hand
side and ex-Terra Marvin Brown was on the spot to blast home
a fierce volley from Wayne Turk's chip over the defence.
This goal breathed life into Salisbury who then had three
decent chances to increase their advantag within a five-minute
spell.
Robbie Matthews shot over the crossbar twice and also hit
an upright.
Having taken a few moments to settle Weymouth regained their
composure and re-affirmed their grip on the game leading to
a 53rd minute equaliser.
Paolo Vernazza launched a long throw into the penalty area
which the home defence failed to clear. The ball fell to Jombarti
who beat Clark from close range.
Although Critchell was forced to make another timely tackle
to deny Brown the Terras were on top and on another day might
have made more of the chances that were being created with
some exciting build-up play.
Anton Robinson saw his drive saved while Vernazza stubbed
his effort with just the keeper to beat.
Clark earned Salisbury a point with a terrific reaction save
from Gavin McCallum. An excellent build-up, started by Vernazza
and involving four Weymouth players, set up the Terras front-man
whose back-heel was superbly blocked.
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