Terras: Smith strikes as Weymouth sign off their pre-season with a win over Truro City

A NEAT finish from Weymouth winger Dan Smith meant the Terras brought the curtain down on their pre-season campaign with a victory against Truro City.

The former Dorchester Town man impressed throughout the afternoon at the Bob Lucas Stadium, in which Weymouth were good value for their 1-0 triumph.

The Terras came closest to opening the scoring in the early exchanges.

After the home side stayed cool in possession while the visitors tried to press, Chris Shephard eventually found striker Stewart Yetton inside the Tigers’ box.

With his second attempt, after sorting his feet out, the Truro City legend almost found the net against his old club but saw his strike cannon off the near post with former Bristol City and Hull City keeper Adriano Basso helpless.

The Terras then hit the woodwork once again as a dangerous ball in from the left was also glanced by a visiting defender off the upright - inches from his own net.

On the half hour mark, player-manager Jason Matthews in the home goal was tested for the first time as he was called to deal with a snap shot from Truro’s Cody Cooke.

But the Terras continued to push for an opener after the interval with Shephard looking lively.

With 64 minutes gone, the hosts were undone by a set-piece from a Truro free-kick on the angle.

Only a combination of blocks and a save from Matthews kept the score at 0-0, the Terras’ goalkeeper then held a shot from Les Afful minutes later.

But the goal then came for Matthews' side on 75 minutes as match-winner Smith’s clever run allowed him to calmly slide the ball into the back of the net.

Sam Jordan then thought he had his first Terras’ goal five minutes from time, but his finish was ruled out for offside.

The only negative for the Terras came on 35 minutes as full-back Ashley Wells was forced to hobble off with a knee problem.

Terras: Matthews, Wells (Sa 35), Cooper, Evans, Wannell (Lowes 46), Brooks, Smith, Davis, Yetton (Jordan 58), Copp (Rodriguez 61), Shephard (James 78) Subs not used: Thomas, Molesley