Hale's sorry end (From Dorset Echo)

Hale's sorry end

7:39pm Sunday 11th October 2009

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WEYMOUTH 0 MAIDENHEAD UNITED 5

DEFENSIVE frailties and equally alarming attacking limitations saw Weymouth slump to another embarrassing home drubbing that prompted the resignation of manager Matty Hale.

How the Berkshire Magpies would love to play the Terras every week as they romped home with a double from the impressive Kieron St Amie, a curling effort from Will Hendry before substitute Stafforde Palmer bagged himself a late brace.

And without a goal now in four games, the Terras’ sixth league defeat on their home patch leaves them anchored to the bottom of the Blue Square South table as their winless streak stretched to nine games following this dismal showing.

Weymouth began with last weekend’s substitutes Matt Bound and Josh Klein-Davies called back into the starting line-up while Scott Dixon – a debutant at the Beveree last week – was surprisingly dropped to the bench.

Fit again Simon Evans returned as goalkeeping cover but there was no place in the 16 for striker Matt Groves.

There was very nearly a dream start for the hosts when, right from the kick-off, Jake Reid cracked in a purposeful 30-yard drive that cannoned back off the left corner of the crossbar and to safety.

The Terras stayed on the front foot for much of the next 10 minutes without unduly troubling United stopper Chris Tardif but there were worrying signs of what was soon to follow when, in the 14th minute, St Amie played in Sam Collins whose chipped effort over keeper Ryan Harrison had to be headed away at the expense of a corner by Scott Brice.

Harrison confidently punched clear that flag kick but moments later United deservedly got themselves in front when Weymouth lost possession from a defensive throw-in and St Amie, on the turn, unleashed a howitzer that soared into the top right-hand corner of the net.

In response the Terras forced a succession of corners and free- kicks but could not create any clear chances from those set plays and then Reid really should have done better with a decent opportunity in the 24th minute.

Chris Allen’s original effort was blocked but Hale, picking up the loose ball, fed Reid who missed the target from close range under pressure.

Seconds later the Terras were given a lesson in finishing as a slick attack ended when Hendry was given all the time he wanted before casually curling home a side-footer into the bottom right-hand corner from 20 yards.

Long-suffering home fans were grimacing again with a huge let-off 10 minutes before the break when Collins whizzed past Jordan Vincent down the left side and from his centre keeper Ryan Harrison lost his grip on the ball which was finally hacked away.

Harrison did atone just before the break when he got down smartly to hold Kieron Knight’s long-range drive.

Maidenhead began the second period as they had ended the first and within six minutes they very nearly extended their lead further.

St Amie played a delightful wall pass with Knight before letting fly with a ferocious shot that crashed off the bar.

Weymouth had a chance to reply from a Kyle Critchell free-kick that was hit low into the United box for Reid to chase on to.

However, the hapless striker swivelled to get in a shot but found no power and the move came to nothing again.

Three minutes on and the Magpies were on the surge again as they found their points-clinching third goal.

Brice tried to pull back Knight by his shorts as he bustled through the centre but the striker managed to get a shot in that was spilled by Harrison straight to the lurking St Amie who composed himself before picking his spot.

On the hour there was a little scare for the visitors when an intended cross by Allen nearly caught Tardif out as it struck the outside of his near post but that was as good as it got for the Terras’ attacking enterprise in a woeful second half devoid of creativity.

Klein-Davies did try from range but his speculative effort flew well wide and Bound, on his Wessex return, fired high over the bar when teed up by Allen’s short free-kick 30 yards out.

Unsurprisingly though it was the visitors that added to their tally with two late goals as the home defence wilted further.

St Amie played in Alex Wall who was able to slip the ball across goal for fellow substitute Palmer to tuck into an empty goal and then, well into injury time, Palmer completed the rout when he danced between Bound and Allen before firing beyond Harrison.

Terras: Harrison, Vincent, Radcliffe, Bound, Brice, Critchell (Metters 72), Allen, Smith, Klein-Davies, Reid (Foster 62), Hale (Dixon 62). Subs not used: Hutchinson, Evans.

Maidenhead: Tardif, Behzadi, Fyfield, Hendry (Wall 77), Nisbet, Sappleton, Brown, Quamina (Saroya 80), Knight (Palmer 58), St Amie, Collins. Subs not used: Barney, Carpenter.

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