Terras give City a scare

STRUGGLING Weymouth gave second-placed Chelmsford a scare on Saturday before two quick-fire second-half goals condemned the visitors to defeat.

Stephen Reed, Cameron Mawer and Pierre Joseph-Dubois returned to the Terras’ starting line-up for their visit to high-flying City, adding some experience to a very young side and all played a part in a brave performance.

Conditions at Melbourne Park were dreadful, wind and heavy rain sweeping straight down the exposed pitch, which caused problems for both sides, however this must not be seen to distract from the battling Terras efforts in making the home side struggle for the points.

With the elements in their favour the visitors started quickly, but had trouble in mastering the wind.

Chelmsford’s early efforts were easily dealt with – Ben Martin’s cross being cleared by Jamie McGuinness and keeper Tim Sandercombe smothering at the feet of Matthew Lock.

In the 10th minute Robert Edmans collected a clearance while looking suspiciously offside and picked out Oliver Berquez, but his run was checked by a strong McGuinness challenge.

Apart from this the only opportunities handed to City came via deadball situations – David Rainford blasted a free-kick high out of the ground while Ricky Holmes’ shot from a Anthony Cook corner was blocked by the Terras’ defence.

At the other end Weymouth had only one sniff of goal in the first 45 minutes when Steve Ward misjudged a headed back pass and Joseph-Dubois was narrowly beaten to the bouncing ball by home custodian Anthony Harrison.

Within two minutes of the restart Chelmsford took the lead in somewhat controversial – if not disappointing fashion for the visitors. A long clearance from Ward flew over the Terras’ defence, who stopped to appeal for offside against Edmans. However, while the lanky striker made no effort to go for the ball, Holmes reacted swiftly to slide the ball past Sandercombe.

Despite the visitors’ appeals – and after consultation with his assistant – referee Forrester awarded the goal.

Worse was to follow just three minutes later when Matthew Locke made ground on the left flank before picking out Cook with a well- directed pass, leaving the home midfield man to drive past Sandercombe from a tight angle.

With Weymouth reeling Chelms-ford pushed forward looking to put the result beyond doubt, but the Terras showed terrific resilience in ensuring that they were not overwhelmed – something that has been missing on occasions this season.

Sandercombe once again proved his worth as he saved from Cook before pulling off a brilliant stop to thwart Rainford.

Cook certainly should have done better when his shot actually went so wide of the target that it hit the corner flag, before Sandercombe was again called into action to save from Lock.

Having weathered the storm Weymouth pulled themselves back into the game in the 70th minute when Reed robbed Rainford midway in the Chelmsford half.

The midfielder then ran past two defenders before beating Harrison from the edge of the penalty area.

Anthony Flinn, a recent signing from Welling United, was introduced off the bench by City coach Glenn Pennyfather, in an effort to enliven his side and it was his run and cross that should have led to a third goal, however, the ball sailed untouched across the area and away for a throw-in.

Weymouth had a lucky escape in the 79th minute when Mawer appeared to pull Edmans down in the area, but nothing was given.

Despite this it was Weymouth who looked more likely to find another goal as the home side seemed to sit back on their lead.

Joseph-Dubois failed to control a cross from Simon Radcliffe with the goal beckoning and Jamie Framp-ton headed over the bar.

The visitors had their own penalty appeal turned down on the stroke of full-time when Reed’s free-kick from the left was allowed to fly across the penalty area to Framp-ton on the far post who then appearaced to be flattened by Clark.

McGuiness latched on to the poor clearance, following this incident, and sent in a teasing cross which was met by Ryan McKechnie only for the young Terra to see his effort clear the crossbar.

Although this was another defeat, and leaves Weymouth staring into the relegation abyss, there were many positives to be taken from the performance.

The team spirit was there for everyone to see and it was patently obvious to those who had made the long trip to Essex that, whatever the situation off the field, on the field there is undoubtedly the nucleus of a team to carry the club’s name forward, if the opportunity is given, next season.

Chelmsford: Harrison, Clark, Patterson, Martin, Ward, Rainford, Berquez, Cook (Finn 70), Edmans, Lock, Holmes. Subs not used: R Batchford, Haines, Martin, L Batchford.

Terras: Sandercombe, McGuinness, Dixon, Mawer, Frampton, Harris, Tribe, Reed, Joseph-Dubois (Richardson 81), Foster (McKechnie 76), Radcliffe.

Subs not used: Do-Rosario, Reiffer, Nicholls.