AFC TOTTON 0 WEYMOUTH 1

BEN Joyce grabbed the only goal as the Terras enjoyed a successful return to league action at the Testwood Stadium tonight.

Due to their exploits in the cup competitions, this was Wey-mouth’s first Southern Premier Division outing for a month and with games in hand on all the teams above them, this was a welcome three points.

Struggling AFC Totton went into the clash having picked up just one point from their last seven league outings but they made life difficult for the Terras, who once again had to rely on a couple of fine saves from Jason Matthews to see the game out. Weymouth boss Brendon King was forced to make two changes to the starting XI that began the 2-1 defeat at Chesham United in the FA Trophy last Saturday.

With Danny Clay and Luke Burbidge both sidelined with injuries, in came Ashley Wells and Mark Ford, while Jamie Symes was handed a spot on the bench following his run out for the reserves.

Having not seen league action since October 5, the Terras were clearly eager to make a positive start and that is exactly what they did.

Michael Walker and Sam Poole both threatened with headers and Dave Allen sent a shot wide before Scott Walker saw a free-kick turned on to the woodwork by Joe McCormack on 25 minutes.

The Totton keeper was certainly the busier of the two and just four minutes later he was beaten.

This time Stewart Yetton fed Mark Ford and, when his cross flew into the box, there was Ben Joyce to turn the ball in from the edge of the area.

Totton were certainly giving plenty of effort to the cause and, in the final 15 minutes of the half, they almost levelled.

Luke Roberts and Liam Triggs both had shots blocked while Alex Moth fired wide after some good work from Jamal Branker.

Moth then raced on to Chris Ferrett’s long ball on 39 minutes but once again he could only fire off target with just Matthews to beat.

The Terras also threatened towards the end of the half with Nathan Walker heading wide from a set-piece but 1-0 to the visitors was a fair reflection heading into the interval.

After the break, Totton continued their search for an equaliser with Triggs and Roberts testing Matthews, who then pulled off a superb save to push Branker’s effort wide of a post.

It was a great response from the hosts but they had McCormack to thank on 59 minutes when he produced a similar stop to keep out Wells’ strike from the edge of the box.

Yetton then fired wide before a double change on 70 minutes saw Matt Groves and Symes enter the fray for Ford and Barry Mc-Connell.

King was clearly hoping the switch would inspire his side to grab that cushion of a second goal but the Stags remained resolute as the game moved into the closing stages.

Groves shot wide and Wells was denied by another fine save before Matthews had to sprint off his line at the other end to make a brave save at the feet of Taylor Edwards.

The hosts then tossed in a late free-kick in the hope of forcing a dramatic leveller but once again the Weymouth keeper made a positive intervention as his side held on in the dying minutes.

AFC Totton: McCormack, Hill (Onoufriou 46), Ferrett (Jennings 83), McCarthy, Flooks, Hibberd, Branker, Branford, Moth (Edwards 63), Roberts, Triggs. Subs not used: Hurst, Hollick

Terras: Matthews, McConnell (Symes 70), M Walker, Wells, N Walker, Poole, Ford (Groves 70), Allen, Yetton, Joyce, S Walker. Subs not used: Cafer, Winsper, Greeno. Bookings – Totton: None.

Weymouth: Poole (foul 44), Wells (foul 48), S Walker (foul 90).

Attendance: 332

*The Terras will entertain Poole Town in the Red Insure Cup on November 19 (7.45pm) and host Bridport in the Dorset Senior Cup on December 3 (7.30pm).