Ian Hutchinson’s men, who have not been paid for six weeks, gave a superb, battling performance in atrocious conditions to bag only their second victory of the Blue Square South season.

The conditions were appalling, with heavy rain prior to the game and squally showers throughout the 90 minutes.

To their credit both teams tried to play Football, but this was thwarted as the wind caused havoc.

On several occasions, in the first half, Terras’ keeper Ryan Harrison’s kicks were blown back towards him or off the pitch altogether while a clearance from Simon Radcliffe turned 90 degrees in mid-air.

It is testament to the new found resilience within Hutchinson’s men that – not only did they restrict the home side to long-range attempts – but they rarely looked severely troubled themselves.

Inside the opening minute, Radcliffe played a ball into the path of Jake Reid but the Terras’ striker was just unable to make contact and home custodian Nicky Eyre was able to gather.

For the next 15 minutes the home side used the wind to launch several attacks, but a combination of stout defensive work and Harrison’s ability to read the conditions ensured that none of these came to fruition.

Hassan Sulaiman saw his effort blocked by Jamie Frampton, Harrison saved from Glen Southam and Lewis Smith, Scott Brice put his body on the line to block another Smith effort and a wind-assisted cross from Southam was tipped on to the crossbar by the alert Harrison.

Weymouth shocked the home side with their first real offensive move of the afternoon in the 17th minute.

Having won a throw-in 35 yards from the Stortford goal, Jordan Rose showed terrific vision by finding Josh Llewellyn who reacted first. He cut inside before Eyre forced him towards the other side of the penalty area.

However, the ex-Weston man rounded Eyre and played the ball across the six-yard line, flat-footing four defenders in the process and Reid was on hand to tap in from a couple of yards out.

Although Stortford used the long ball to put pressure on the visitors’ goal the Terras continued to stand firm.

Harrison was forced to tip another corner from Southam over his crossbar and Radcliffe produced a superb block tackle to deny Charlie Sheringham – scorer of four goals in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Weymouth might have doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Reid robbed Steveland Angus 30 yards out.

Llewellyn found space to receive Reid’s short pass and beat his man before playing a ball into the path of Rose. Although the Terras’ midfielder did get his shot away, it was straight at Eyre who was able to beat the ball out.

Just before half-time, Harrison was unable to hold a fierce drive from Scott Shulton, but he reacted quickly to deny Southam any chance of reaching the rebound.

Within the first minutes of the second period the home side had two chances but Harrison tipped Ashley Nicholl’s cross-shot over his crossbar while the same player headed Southam’s corner wide of an upright.

Chris Allen was fouled 25 yards out and took the free-kick himself but his effort went wide of a post and Rose tried to use the wind when he shot from fully 40 yards – however, Eyre saved.

Despite the wind advantage the Terras’ defensive work was not over and Martin Slocombe, back in the side after a spell in the reserves, produced a timely tackle to deny Patterson before Nicholls blasted a shot over the bar.

The visitors’ best chance of the half started from Harrison’s roll out to Frampton.

The young defender found Llewellyn, who once again beat Angus with ease, before shaping to shoot. His effort was scuffed, and turned into a cross which found Eyre flapping to make contact, but unfortunately the ball continued across the pitch and out for a throw.

Home substitute Roy Essandoh, missed his side’s best chance of the game seconds before the final whistle.

Alli Abdullahi created some room for himself before slipping Sulaiman free. His low cross from the edge of the area was just the right height for Essandoh to launch himself into a diving header, however – from inside the six-yard line – his effort went wide.

At the final whistle it was terrific to see the players and handful of travelling supporters celebrate together and, whichever way the current saga that is Weymouth Football Club goes, this performance and result will be etched in the memory of those that saw it for many years to come.