Terras have no excuses after Taunton torture
By Adam Summers
WEYMOUTH narrowly escaped an embarrassing early exit from the
FA Cup at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
Facing a Taunton Town side lying 13th in the league below, the
Terras had to rely on last-ditch interventions from Sam Poole
and Ryan McKechnie, and a string of fine blocks from keeper
Tom Manley to keep them in the competition, much to the frustration
of a disappointed home crowd.
A forlorn Brendon King refused to make excuses for the below-par
display, describing it as unacceptable in his post-match Press
conference.
The Terras’ boss said: “It was really frustrating.
In the first half we were nowhere near it. We were second to
the ball, our passing was poor and our touch was poor.
“We looked nothing like the team that won at Circencester
Town last Tuesday night, it was completely different.
“We spoke before the game about approaching it in the right
manner and being professional but whether some of them still
went out there thinking it would be easy I do not know. If they
did then they now need to take a good look at themselves.
“We had a bit of a go at them during half-time and in the
second half our performance was slightly better but not by much.
“We passed the ball better and put together one or two
neat moves but overall our performance was nowhere near enough
and in the end we were lucky to get away with it.”
King made two changes to the starting XI that won at Cirencester
and both were enforced.
Tim Stephenson missed out due to a slight knee injury while
Byron Napper’s absence came down to an administrative error.
Ollie Tribe returned to the side at right-back while new signing
Craig Duff came in for his debut in the centre of midfield alongside
Richard Marshallsay.
The game also marked a first home appearance for Sam Malsom,
who partnered top-scorer Warren Byerley up front.
The two teams took to the field in driving rain but it soon
subsided and within 35 seconds the Terras had already registered
the first shot on target with Malsom’s dipping volley finding
the gloves of Chris Astley.
Manley then made a fine save at the feet of Craig Veal at the
other end before Weymouth skipper Ben Gerring saw a header from
a corner pushed on to the bar by Astley, with Byerley nodding
over the rebound.
It was certainly a lively start and although the hosts were
enjoying more of the possession, their backline looked edgy
with a wayward defensive header almost putting a goal on a plate
for Veal at the far post, only for Manley to once again provide
the barrier.
Marshallsay then headed over from a corner as the end-to-end
nature of the opening exchanges showed no sign of relenting.
Veal continued to look the Peacocks’ biggest threat and
on 25 minutes he escaped the attention of the Terras’ defence
once again but his 16-yard strike was comfortably fisted over
the top by Manley.
Weymouth looked clueless in possession with Taunton more than
happy to sit deep and counter-attack after the inevitable misplaced
pass or hopeful punt.
And it was from another such breakaway down the right flank
that Veal put Ross McNabb through. He nodded the ball past the
onrushing Manley but was unable to get there before the retreating
Tribe, who cleared for a corner.
Town then had two shouts for a penalty turned down by referee
Richard Hulme. Both were for handball with the first one having
looked more credible but the visitors were left frustrated,
especially after Darren Rice had also prodded just wide.
The Terras’ faithful were clearly expecting their side
to come out a lot more fired up in the second half but King’s
men remained passive as Town continued to press with Rodney
Marsh dragging a 20-yard shot just wide of the target.
The same player was then denied by a fantastic block from Manley,
following a fine through ball from Jon Vance, as the home fans
began to vent their frustration.
King responded by sending on Matt Groves for Mitch Conning on
62 minutes.
The player/assistant manager partnered Byerley up front,
with Malsom moving to the right flank, and moments later Stephen
Reed sent a shot wide as the hosts slowly began to raise their
game.
Veal was still threatening on the break though with Manley
making another timely interception before his opposite number
Astley made a brave save at the feet of Duff, following a
dangerous cross from the right from Byerley.
Entering the final 10 minutes, an edgy atmosphere descended
on the ground as Town began probing again with substitute
Alex Pounde being thwarted by a last-ditch block from Poole
after Vance’s free-kick had ricocheted through the defensive
wall.
Byerley then went close to getting on the end of a cross from
Reed before Pounde looked clear again, only for the retreating
McKecknie to make another superb game saving challenge to
ensure the Terras a second bite at the cherry.
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