Terras drift further from safety as unbeaten run ends

WESTON-SUPER-MARE 2 Pearson 49, Reid 79 ABJECT Weymouth’s mini unbeaten run came to a crashing halt as Weston-super-Mare claimed a dominant 2-0 win at the Bob Lucas Stadium. The Terras had the resilient goalkeeper Will Buse to thank for keeping Weston at bay with a string of brilliant saves as the Seagulls poured forward in a dominant first half. Having survived the pressure, Weymouth gifted Weston the lead on 49 minutes as Sam Pearson robbed Ben Greenwood in the box and beat Buse for 1-0.

Weston added a second through Reuben Reid’s clever finish but Weymouth offered virtually nothing up front in a worrying performance that smacked of an impending relegation. Weymouth boss Warren Feeney made just one change to the squad picked for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at St Albans as Swindon loanee Liam Hutt earned his full debut, replacing the benched Euan Pollock. Weymouth began the game with the fourth-poorest wins record in the top six divisions.



Only Premier League strugglers Southampton (two) and Ipswich (three) plus National League bottom side Ebbsfleet (one) have posted a tally fewer than Weymouth’s four league victories in 37 matches this season. However, coming into the Weston clash on a four-game unbeaten streak and lying 10 points off safety, a Weymouth win was imperative to sustain any lingering hopes of survival. Feeney’s men responded by fashioning the first major chance as the unmarked Jake McCarthy sliced a volley into a forest of Weston legs inside the box.

McCarthy’s effort was to prove Weymouth’s best of the half as Weston first settled and then controlled proceedings. Their former Weymouth winger Pearson was a constant danger and his opening gambit at goal almost breached the home defence but for skipper Luke Coulson to stumble into his attempt and clumsily prod wide. Amid a sea of chances, Pearson aimed a dipping shot at home goalkeeper Will Buse before Jordon Thompson produced a stunning block on the line to repel Reid’s fine shot on the turn.

Buse also had to claim a deflected Pearson shot before the flying winger was denied a clear sight of goal by an excellent intervention from the retreating Calvin Brooks. Buse reserved his best until last, though, somehow tipping Sam Avery’s diving header onto the bar as Weston worked a short corner to near perfection. Unsurprisingly just four minutes into the second half, Weymouth eventually succumbed to the pressure.

Greenwood was caught in possession by Pearson inside the Weymouth box and accepted the simple task of slotting past the powerless Buse to open Weston’s account. At the other end, Weston keeper Max Harris had been such a spectator that a charge-down by Brooklyn Genesini forced him into his first piece of work with a simple catch. Feeney showed extreme patience by waiting until the 67th for his first change, subbing Hutt off for fellow Swindon loanee Dani Gonzalez-Birchall.

Instead it was Weston who continued to show the greater intent, Reid denied on the break by the over-worked Buse. Greenwood was hauled off for Pollock with 15 minutes remaining as Weymouth chased an unlikely equaliser, their hopes of which were firmly put to bed just four minutes later. James Dodd was given time in central midfield to pick out ex-Yeovil striker Reid, who used the covering defence as a shield before burying a smart finish inside the far post.

Weston sub Dylan Kadji poked wide as the Seagulls spurned a good chance for 3-0, while Weymouth could only muster a rising Leo Hamblin drive on 89 minutes. Pollock did at least manage to test Harris with a stinging effort in added time but the Terras were devoid of quality and creativity up front with Weston barely breaking sweat in seeing out the victory. The defeat, coupled with Enfield’s 1-0 win over Hampton & Richmond, leaves Weymouth 13 points off safety with eight games to go.

Terras : Buse, Genesini (Pollard 83), Brooks, Thompson, Hamblin, McQuoid, Bearwish, McCarthy, Hutt (Gonzalez-Birchall 67), Linton, Greenwood (Pollock 75). Subs not used : Armstrong, Thomas. Weston-super-Mare : Harris, Davies, Bastin, Avery, Jagger Cane (Waite 89), Dodd, Reid (Soule 83), Pearson (Kadji 75), Coulson (Jenkins 90+4), Seberry, Chamberlain.

Sub not used : Ayers. Referee : Kai Morgan. Attendance : 594.

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