Gutsy Terras defy high-flying Gulls
By Adam Summers

A COURAGEOUS display by Weymouth ensured they gained a share of the spoils against high-flying Torquay at the Wessex Stadium last night.

The Terras defended superbly and gave absolutely everything to hold back the title-chasers, who were camped in the home side's half for much of the second half.

Substitute Danny Stevens had an effort cleared off the line from Justin Roberts and Tim Sills wasted a one-on-one but that is all the Gulls could muster despite applying severe pressure.

Weymouth boss John Hollins made six changes to the starting XI that began Saturday's disappointing 2-1 defeat at basement boys Stafford Rangers.

Out went Narada Bernard, Joel Kitamirike, Marcus Browning, Anton Robinson, James Coutts and Michael Malcolm and in came Justin Roberts, Trevor Challis, Nick Crittenden, Simon Weatherstone, West Brom winger Jack Compton and Swindon Town forward Franklin Anzite, who were both making their debuts after completing loan moves.

Browning missed the game due to injury while Coutts and Bernard were not even handed places on the bench.

Phillips enjoyed a fantastic spell at the Wessex Stadium and his boss Paul Buckle, another ex-Terra, was clearly making a statement by handing him the armband.

The Gulls entered the game having not conceded a goal for 442 minutes and on the back of a five-game unbeaten run but the Terras set their stall out in the opening exchanges and soon started to frustrate their opponents.

However, the home side did suffer one scare when Scott Doe's back pass nearly embarrassed keeper Jason Matthews but the former Exeter City man managed to regain his footing and clear the ball to safety under pressure from Phillips.

Weymouth adopted a 4-5-1 system with the imposing figure of Anzite playing alongside Paolo Vernazza in midfield and skipper Weatherstone just behind lone forward Stuart Beavon and it was certainly halting the Gulls' advances.

The away side did create a chance on 17 minutes but Roberts made a fine block to deny Phillips before Steve Adams shot from long range into the hands of Matthews.

A few minutes later Kaid Mohamed then escaped the close attendance of Doe and Crittenden before crossing low into the box.

Phillips allowed the ball to run through to Chris Zebroksi but he made a poor connection and struck his effort wide.

Weymouth's first attempt of note came on 25 minutes when Vernazza sent in a corner that Anzite headed towards the target.

Keeper Michael Poke punched clear under pressure from Beavon before Weatherstone volleyed wide from outside the box.

The Terras were suddenly building a bit of pressure and a fantastic cross-field pass from Weatherstone soon put Compton in space on the left.

He crossed for Beavon and when the ball was cleared Anzite shot over.

Compton was clearly causing problems for the visiting defence but despite producing several good crosses none of his colleagues were able to get on the end of them.

United hit back with Mohamed striking wide when found in space by a long throw and a great chance for Zebroski whose shot was superbly blocked by ex-Torquay man Kyle Critchell.

Weymouth adopted the same solid approach at the start of the second half but they conceded an early free- kick and nearly paid the price.

The ball was driven in low and would have fallen to Tim Sills had Matthews not been alert enough to pounce on it on the edge of the six-yard box.

The Terras responded with a fine move of their own when Weatherstone turned the ball around the corner to put Beavon in on the left side of the box.

The striker put a low cross across the face of the goal but defender Chris Todd cleared.

Hollins' men were now showing more invention and moments later a long cross-field ball from Crittenden found Compton who lashed an ambitious volley into the side-netting from an acute angle.

Had the winger's effort been on target Poke could well have been caught out.

The game started to get stretched as the half went on but both sides' advances were still falling short in the final third where tremendous defending or poor passing was causing very few clear-cut chances.

But with 20 minutes left Torquay did nearly get some joy through Stevens down the left.

He cut the ball across twice but last-ditch interceptions from Doe and Roberts kept the ball out.

That seemed to lift the Gulls and they began to enjoy some sustained pressure but the hosts continued to show their mettle at the back led by some superb handling from Matthews.

Stevens was particularly causing problems and in the dying minutes he put Sills in the clear but Torquay's leading scorer snatched at the opportunity and sent his effort wide.

The home fans greeted the final whistle with a huge cheer and went on to show their appreciation for their team's gutsy display by applauding each player as they entered the tunnel.