CRANBORNE 1 WEYMOUTH RESERVES 1

JAKE Richmond thought the Terras showed great heart and desire in this 1-1 draw against the Cranes.

Cranborne can be a tough nut to crack on their own patch and the Weymouth reserve-team boss was delighted with how his side stood up to the challenge.

Richmond said: “It was a good battling display.

“They had a 10-minute spell just before half-time in which they equalised and had another effort disallowed for offside but, apart from that, we pretty much dominated.

“In the second half we put them under plenty of pressure but just could not make it count.

“Sometimes you have to play the pitch and the conditions and get the ball forward a bit earlier and that is exactly what we did.

“The fact the lads have taken that on board is great and I thought the heart and desire they showed was fantastic, so overall it was really pleasing, even though we didn’t quite get the victory.”

Carl McClements put the Terras ahead following a fine flick from Aiden Jackson before Sam Nichols tested the home keeper from 20 yards.

Ryan Park was then forced into a good save at the other end but could do nothing to stop the Cranes equalising on 40 minutes after his side failed to deal with a long throw into the box.

The hosts then had a header ruled out for offside before their opponents went on to dominate the majority of the second half.

Nichols, Paul Ford, Oscar Preece and McClements all had shots saved but it was new signing Jonny Will that went closest to grabbing the winner when his 25-yarder struck the crossbar with just five minutes remaining.

Richmond added: “We started with two 16-year-olds in the side in Aiden Jackson and Luke Chatterton and they were both superb.

“Carl got his first 90 minutes for almost a month and took his goal well, and I also thought Sean Zima did an outstanding job at left-back. The only disappointing thing was Cranborne’s attempts to intimidate the officials the entire game.

“They fought hard and deserved their point but some of their behaviour was embarrassing at times and I thought the way the officials handled it was excellent.”

The Terras currently sit fourth in the Bespoke Teamwear Dorset Premier League, just three points off the top. However, they have played more games than several of the teams around them.

Terras: Park, J Will, Butcher, Anstey, Zima, Preece, Beals (Frost 90), Chatterton, Nichols, McClements, Jackson (P Ford 70). Subs not used: Tewkesbury, Quigley.