Having left Weymouth at 6am for the trip north it maybe was no surprise that the Terras started slowly.

However, to concede three goals in the opening 14 minutes was a shock, from which they would never recover.

In the second minute Anthony Danylyk’s long throw-in was flicked on by Colin Little and Michael Welch was on hand to head home.

The visitors very nearly found an equaliser, almost immediately, as Sam Cutler took a short free-kick to David Ryan, 35 yards out. The Blackburn Rovers YTS player let fly only for the ball to cannon off off the upright before being cleared.

Altrincham increased their advantage, with eight minutes on the clock, when keeper Stuart Coburn used the wind to send his clearance over the Terras’ defence, allowing Little to lob over the advancing Simon Evans and into the net.

Just six minutes later the game was all but over as Dale Johnson produced a spectacular overhead kick to convert Shaun Densmore’s corner.

Alan Lewer’s men were reeling at this stage and sensing so, the home side launched raid after raid towards the Terras’ goal.

Joe O’Neill’s header from a Matt Doughty free-kick was held comfortably by Evans before the Weymouth keeper produced a superb save to palm Robbie Lawton’s powerful drive on to the crossbar.

The rebound was only half cleared allowing Doughty to cross back into the danger area only for Welch to head against the bar – the ball eventually going out of play for a goal kick.

Cutler’s cross from the right, aimed at Jermaine Palmer, caused Coburn some concern — the experienced Alty man gathering the ball at the second attempt.

As the half ended Weymouth put together their best move of the first period when Callum Hart and Palmer worked well to create an opening for Jake Hyde. Sadly the Swindon loanee’s cross shot was hacked to safety.

The second half was, in the main, a different story as the visitors looked the better side for long periods. Hyde’s movement was causing the Alty back three some concern and – on one such foray – Ryan was unlucky not to connect with a cross as the home defence looked on.

Somewhat against the run of play Altrincham added their fourth, in the 52nd minute, after Little had released O’Neill on the left flank.

Evans seemed to have O’Neill’s cross covered, but allowed the ball to slip through his hands.

Despite this latest set back Weymouth continued to push forward with Ryan and Hyde at the heart of many of their moves.

Altrincham were grateful to James Smith who headed Hyde’s effort for a corner before the same man was able to clear substitute Ryan McKechnie’s shot.

Sam Curtis, Tom Richardson and Hyde all went close before Coburn had to look sharp in saving another ranging effort from Hyde.

Evans spread himself well to use his feet when saving from Alex Meechan, while at the other end, Weymouth’s final effort of the match came when Jamie Vincent’s free-kick was met by Hyde only for Coburn to save.

The opening 14 minutes – with Weymouth recovering from the long coach trip – certainly cost the Terras dear as they were always able to match the home side after that poor start, but were not rewarded for their efforts