|
Saturday 25 October 2003 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division 
|
| half-time: 0-2 | result: L0-2 | attendance: 882 |
| team: | Bryant, Coupe, Jenkins, Jones (c), Howarth (Milton 45), Owers, Bennett, Shore (Counsell 45), Salter (Cleverley 67), Tweddle, Carter. subs not used: Jeffries, Bridges. |
| man of the match: | Russell Milton |
| scorers: | none |
| bookings: | Shore (12), Owers (29), Jenkins (38), Counsell (65) |
| dismissal: | Counsell (85) |
| officials: | B Malone (Salisbury), C Hopkins (Stockbridge), M Burt (Southampton) |
| league position: 20th | form: LWLDDL | next match: Mangotsfield (A) |
In the corresponding fixture between the sides back at the beginning of September City had gone into the interval trailing 2-0 before producing an incredible second half comeback that came within a retaken penalty kick of ending in a 3-2 victory. So, with Weymouth again racing into a two-goal first-half lead the scene was set for a repeat. However, back then City had not suffered the confidence sapping reversals at, amongst others Worcester and Thame, so despite dominating the second period to a possibly greater extent than the first game they could not turn this advantage into goals allowing the Terras to run out reasonably comfortable victors in the end.
City made a single change to the side that had conceded a late equaliser against Chippenham Town four days earlier, new arrival and player coach Gary Owers replacing Jim Rollo. With the game just four minutes old City almost took the lead. Drew Shore’s free-kick was flicked on by defender Philpott but, in common with City’s luck all afternoon, the ball flew inches wide of the goal. This was as near as City came in the first half as, without ever playing well, Weymouth were always on top. City’s cause was helped by a referee that wasn’t fooled by Terras player manager Steve Claridge constant diving but on a rare occasion he stayed on his feet he helped open the scoring after 19 minutes. Adam Howarth initially won the ball from Claridge only to gift it straight back to him. He laid it off to Buckle and although his effort was blocked Phillips was alert to turn the rebound home. Eleven minutes later Weymouth stretched their lead. Again Phillips was involved, brushing off Steve Jones’ challenge before sending a 20-yard shot toward goal. Mark Bryant did get a hand to it only to direct it into the path of Tully. He won’t get an easier chance all season. Bryant produced a smart block to prevent Hutchinson making it 3-0 in stoppage time and City could regroup in the break.
This involved replacing Howarth and Shore with Milton and Counsell and these changes almost paid dividends within 60 seconds of the restart. Alfie Carter beat keeper Matthews to a weak Tully back pass but, from a tight angle, could only curl a shot against the foot of the post. Good work by Mark Salter on the hour mark saw Steve Tweedle shoot straight at Matthews. The balance of the game has shifted to City but they could not find the vital first goal that had proved so important against their previously fragile opponents. Counsell volleyed wide and Matthews gathered a shot from Jones as the pressure began to build. A brief respite for the visitors on 71 minutes saw Philpott curl a 25-yard free-kick wide. A minute later Carter’s shot was deflected narrowly wide. On 77 minutes City must have realised that for all their domination the goal was not going to come when Milton’s pin-point corner found the head of Owers. His powerful header deserved success only to crash against the crossbar. This disappointment was evident five minutes from time when Counsell received his second booking for a foul on Buckle. There was still time for Tweddle to head City’s seventh corner of the half over and Matthews to block Owers close range effort but this just added to frustrations of what could have been.