WEYMOUTH 2 (Rigg 48, Yetton 57)

CHESHAM UNITED 4 (Dillon 11, 23, 29, Potton 73)

WEYMOUTH’S second-half fight-back came to nothing at the Bob Lucas Stadium last night thanks to Dillon the destroyer.

High-flying Chesham ripped the Terras apart in the first half but the home side hit back after the break, and at one stage, looked like they might complete a remarkable comeback.

Trailing to a Chris Dillon hat-trick at half-time, Weymouth pulled back to 3-2, only for James Potton to finally kill the game with the Generals’ fourth of the evening.

Weymouth player-manager Jason Matthews made three changes to the side that began the 2-2 draw against Biggleswade last weekend.

Ashley Wells and Michael Walker both returned to the defence while George Rigg rep-laced the injured Adam Kelly in midfield. Charlie Holland and Sam Poole dropped to the bench.

There was also a change in shape as Matthews opted for a 3-5-2 system with Wells being deployed in the sweeper role behind Walker and Torquay United loanee Jake Hutchings.

The two big names in the Chesham starting XI were undoubtedly ex-Birmingham City defender Darren Purse and the league’s leading scorer Drew Roberts.

The Generals entered the game having won six of their previous seven outings in the Southern Premier but it was the Terras that made the brighter start.

Edginess in the visiting defence let in Ben Joyce on five minutes but keeper Shane Gore was quick off his line to clear the danger.

The hosts were certainly looking lively but they got caught short at the back themselves, just seconds later when Wells’ last-ditch tackle, denied James Potton.

The game was now swinging from end to end and the opening goal quickly arrived on 11 minutes.

Once again the Terras looked stretched in defence as Roberts set up Dillon for the easiest of tap-ins at the far post.

That goal shook the home side and for the next 20 minutes they were put under the cosh.

A mistake from Michael Walker saw Roberts test Matt-hews with an early strike before the Weymouth keeper then pulled off an incredible stop to turn away Potton’s stooping header from point-blank range.

The Weymouth player-manager was doing his utmost to keep his side in the game but he remained exposed and, on 23 minutes, Roberts teed up Dillon again for his second, which was almost a carbon-copy of his opener.

The Generals were running riot and it was no surprise when Dillon went on to complete his hat-trick just six minutes later.

This time, the ex-Arlesey Town forward turned the ball past Matthews with the merest of touches at the near post, following an excellent cross from Potton.

The game already appeared to be over but Chesham could smell blood and Roberts, in particular, looked determined to get on the scoresheet.

His best effort of the half came on 38 minutes when he accelerated past Hutchings in the box and drew another top-class save out of the overworked Matthews.

The Terras desperately needed to regroup and it was no surprise to see them change to a 4-4-2 formation at the start of the second half with Ashley Wells moving to left-back.

They certainly looked a lot more solid after that switch and, on 48 minutes, they pulled one back in sensational fashion, when George Rigg let fly from 30 yards and found the top corner.

That was the Terras’ first shot on target and it certainly lifted the crowd and put Chesham on the back foot for the very first time.

A brief lull in play then followed before the hosts shocked the Generals again just nine minutes later.

Joyce latched on to a ball down the left and flicked it into the path of Stewart Yetton, and he applied a sweet finish with the outside of his right boot to send the home fans into raptures.

The intensity that had been in Chesham’s play in the first half had completely ebbed away and Yetton went close again soon after, only for his header to go straight at Gore.

This was a remarkable turnaround by the Terras but as they continued to push forward in search for an equaliser, they were inevitably leaving a few more gaps at the back.

Potton almost exploited one of them on 70 minutes but Wells did well to get across to get a timely deflection on the resulting shot, which flew over the top.

However, the Generals continued to probe and, three minutes later, Roberts combined with Potton once again for the latter to fire home his side’s fourth from 10 yards.

Weymouth reacted by bringing on Lamar Powell for his home debut, followed by Charlie Holland, but their momentum had now gone and Chesham saw the rest of the game out with consummate ease.

Terras: Matthews 7, McConnell 5, Wells 6 (Holland 79, 5), Colwell 5, Hutchings 5, M Walker 5, Rigg 6, Winsper 5 (Powell 73, 5), Yetton 6, Joyce 6, Green 5. Subs not used: Poole, Zima, Park.

Chesham: Gore, Kyriacou, Little (Prosper 88), Stewart, Purse, Thomas (Wales 73), Fotheringham, Potton, Dillon, Roberts, Wilson (Hamilton 83). Subs not used: Goss, Brown.

Bookings: None.

Referee: Mark Derrien.

Attendance: 413