WEYMOUTH 4 CHIPPENHAM TOWN 1

THE Terras provided some welcome relief by shooting down the Bluebirds at the Bob Lucas Stadium last night.

After so much fuss off the field in the 48 hours leading up to the game, the Weymouth faithful were desperate for a lift and Brendon King’s men gave them it with a great all-round display.

Alan Griffin put Chippenham into an early lead but once Stewart Yetton cancelled that out just after the half-hour the Terras took control and ran out deserved winners.

Speaking after the game, King told Echosport: “I think what has been happening off the field over the last couple of days with all the negative press overshadowed the match before kick-off but the lads put in a great performance.

“After the win over Arlesey on Saturday we knew we needed to back it up and to come away with such a convincing win against a team that had been on a decent run was very pleasing.

“We were disappointed with the goal we conceded but once we got back level we went on and won it comfortably in the end.

“There were some good performances all over the team and we must continue to build on that in the weeks ahead.”

The Terras kept faith with the same starting XI that began last Saturday’s victory against Arlesey but there was a change on the bench where Sam Poole returned from suspension and replaced Jamie Symes, who missed out through illness.

With Chippenham unbeaten in their last three games in the league, this was always going to be a test for King’s men and the opening exchanges reflected that with very little goalmouth action at either end.

There appeared to be a lack of quality in the final third for both sides but on 14 minutes that all changed when Chippenham striker Griffin scored with the very first effort of the game.

Joe McClennan supplied the ammunition with a fine cross from the right and there was the visiting skipper to glance a superb header past the desperate dive of Jason Matthews.

It was a sublime finish and it certainly put a spring in Chippenham’s step with McCle-nnan testing Matthews again, just seconds later.

Scott Walker then had a free-kick pushed over at the other end before Ben Joyce produced an elegant volley on the half turn that also went over the top.

The Terras were now pressing and putting the visiting backline under all sorts of pressure.

Initially, Chippenham dealt with it well but on 32 minutes they finally succumbed to the game’s second top-notch goal.

This time Scott Walker provided the glorious cross from the left for Stewart Yetton to nod home from 10 yards.

Keeper Bulman got his hand to the downward header but could not keep it out.

That equaliser capped off a great response from the Terras after going behind and they continued the momentum into the second half with some great possession football.

Scott Walker curled a free-kick just wide of the target on 49 minutes before Chippenham threatened on the break.

McClennan found James Guthrie down the left and his cross along the six-yard box would have presented a tap in for Griffin had McConnell not got a touch just in front of him.

However, the hosts were still looking the classier outfit and on 62 minutes they finally took the lead through a counterattack of their own.

Luke Burbidge carried the ball 30 yards and found Mark Ford and he did the rest by scoring at the second attempt following a fortunate ricochet.

The Bluebirds instantly tried to respond but with Michael Walker leading by example at the back and shackling Griffin, the Terras remained nice and solid.

However, Weymouth still needed a third to give them some breathing space and it arrived with 13 minutes left.

Scott Walker once again provided the delivery from a corner and Dave Allen was on hand to head past Bulman.

That goal completely deflated Chippenham and just five minutes later the Terras grabbed another.

Ford slipped in Yetton and he fired home his 15th of the season in all competitions from the edge of the box.

Griffin responded with a header that shook the crossbar at the other end but this was Wey-mouth’s night as they went on to celebrate arguably their best performance of the season so far.

The Terras now lie 11th in the Calor Southern Premier Division, just six points off the play-offs.

Terras: Matthews 6, Wells 7, McConnell 6, Allen 7 (Clay 85, 6), N Walker 7, M Walker 8, Burbidge 7 (Winsper 85, 6), Ford 7, Yetton 8, Joyce 7, S Walker 8. Subs not used: Cafer, Poole, Groves.

Bluebirds: Bulman, Tovey, Beeden (Monks 69), Harvey, Blackmore, Tindle, McClennan, Dean, Griffin, Knighton (King 63), Guthrie. Subs not used: Leigh, Purnell, John.

Bookings – Terras: Ford (dissent 68) Chippenham: Harvey (foul 64), King (foul 73) Attendance: 339