DUNSTABLE 1 TERRAS 3

WEYMOUTH deservedly claimed maximum points on their first visit to Creasey Park in more than a decade.

Midfield dominance was soon established by the visitors who took an early lead following a defensive lapse.

Central defender Shane Blackett was unable to clear from a cross and the ball fell for Terras’ skipper Stewart Yetton to score after three minutes.

Weymouth did not allow their hosts to settle and, playing imaginative and effective football, they restricted Dunstable to shots from range.

One of these, from loan striker Ben Mackey, deserved a goal but the ball struck the underside of the bar.

This feat was replicated by the Terras’ Adam Kelly whose ferocious effort bounced off the woodwork and into the grateful arms of Luke Chambers.

Dunstable did get the ball in the net but Elliot Sandy was adjudged offside.

Thoroughly at ease in midfield, Weymouth also utilised the flanks to their advantage with Kelly and Chris Shephard using their pace to good effect.

Dunstable tried to construct some moves in the attacking third but were consistently thwarted by an unyielding Weymouth defence, with excellent work from Jordan Copp and Ashley Wells.

Chris Marsh and Mackey showed some flair on the flanks and in the centre, but crosses from Marsh and Ben Herd were often too deep or readily anticipated.

After 25 minutes, a mini resurgence from the hosts quickly came to grief when Steven Gregory was somewhat harshly penalised for a tackle on Kelly in his own box.

Yetton duly obliged from the penalty spot despite Chambers getting a hand to the ball.

Frustrated by not being able to break down the Terras’ defence, Sandy tried his luck from range but only succeeded in clearing the bar.

The home side were already weakened by injuries and suspensions, and they suffered further misfortune when striker Gary Mulligan had to be replaced on the half hour due to a hamstring problem.

Terry Dixon deputised with eagerness but, like his team-mates, got little change from the Weymouth rearguard.

The second half saw another penalty, this time for Dunstable, when Calvin Brooks was adjudged to have fouled Sandy.

Skipper Herd calmly converted from the spot.

A stirring comeback didn’t materialise and six minutes later a slick dummy from Yetton gave Chris McPhee a chance he snapped up.

The final misery for Dunstable was Marsh’s straight red card for a wild challenge on Shephard.

After the game, Dunstable boss Darren Croft, while admitting the game had been principally lost in midfield, said: “We were under strength because of injuries and key suspensions, but conceding the early goal shook us, and in my view Sandy’s goal was not offside – but Weymouth did a fine containment job on us.”

Meanwhile, Terras’ player-manager Matthews added: “They have some good players but, once we established ourselves in midfield, we were increasingly comfortable.

“Stewart Yetton’s two chances he took made up for the penalty miss he had last week.

“This was a difficult place to come and win but I cannot praise the attitude of my players highly enough.”

Dunstable: Chambers, Herd, Plowright, Ruddick, Blackett, Gregory, Sandy, Hutton, Mackey (Amu 63), Mulligan (Dixon 31), Marsh. Subs not used: Head, Henry, Watkins.

Terras: Matthews, Wells, Copp, McPhee, J Laird, Brooks, Kelly (Winsper 83), Colwell, Yetton, Sills (Rigg 53), Shephard (Jevon 88). Subs not used: Wannell, Palmer.

Bookings: Dunstable – Hutton

Terras – Brooks

Sent off: Dunstable – Marsh

Referee: Jason Richardson

Attendance: 242