CAMBRIDGE CITY 4 (Marriott 26, 53, Bossman 40, 74)

WEYMOUTH 2 (Kelly 20, S Walker 67)

THE potent partnership of Adam Marriott and Kelvin Bossman shot down the Terras at Bridge Road tonight.

Both men netted doubles as promotion-chasing Cambridge took their recent goalscoring exploits to 42 goals in just 13 league outings.

Weymouth just could not contain the home side’s impressive frontline with Marriott now having scored 29 times in 28 appearances in all competitions.

The Terras made just one change to the side that started last Saturday’s 3-0 win at Bedford with Ben Joyce replacing Niall Thompson.

Joyce was making his first appearance since recovering from shin splints, while Thompson has returned to Torquay United following the completion of his loan spell.

George Rigg also lined up for the Terras in what is expected to be his last game for the club before joining Weston-Super-Mare on a regular basis.

Rigg has recently been training with the Skrill South outfit after signing dual registration forms.

Michael Walker, whose partner is due to give birth, and new-signing Lamar Powell were both unable to travel, while Ashley Wells missed out through injury.

Those absences freed up a place in the squad for reserve-team winger Sean Zima, who joined Luke Winsper, Carl McClements and coach Mickey Greeno on the bench.

High-flying Cambridge entered the game having lost just one of their previous 12 outings, and they should have grabbed an early lead, when Kelvin Bossman missed a sitter from five yards.

The Terras certainly had to weather a bit of early pressure but as the half wore on they began to gain a foothold in the game.

Louis Lee and Adam Marriott both went close for the hosts before Weymouth took a surprise lead on 20 minutes with their first meaningful attack of the game.

Scott Walker swung in a corner and when City failed to clear their lines after a save from James Wren, Adam Kelly was on hand to fire home with the aid of a deflection.

The Terras could not have made a better start but, just six minutes later, the Lilywhites hit back.

A fine pass from Jackson Ramm picked out Marriott and, this time, the in-form striker made no mistake with a clinical finish, which flew into the far corner.

City continued to press and, moments later, they almost went ahead, only for Josh Dawkin’s free-kick to whistle just the wrong the side of the far post to the relief of Weymouth keeper Jason Matthews.

Wren was then forced to parry a fine strike from Kelly before Ramm replied with an effort, which flew over the crossbar.

It was end-to-end stuff but City continued to look the more threatening side and, five minutes before the break, they went ahead.

A good passing move caused confusion in the Weymouth defence, and when the ball was eventually put through, there was Bossman to slot it past Matthews.

The onus was now on the Terras to respond but City started the second half as they finished the first and were soon making chances again.

Marriott was once again in the thick of the action and after seeing one effort saved from Matthews, the lively striker lobbed home his second in the 53rd minute, following a poor headed back-pass from Sam Poole.

The Terras were now looking shaky and, just moments later, Bossman almost scored with another chip, only for Barry McConnell to clear his effort off the goal-line.

Bossman then raced through again and fired into the side netting before the Terras pulled one back on 67 minutes.

Kelly’s excellent pass found Scott Walker on the edge of the box and he fired the ball past Wrenn in emphatic fashion with his trusty left foot.

Suddenly it was game on again but Weymouth failed to up the tempo and conceded again shortly after, with Bossman turning in his second at the far post, just seven minutes later.

The Terras responded by sending on McClements and Zima for Joyce and Walker but City continued to dictate proceedings.

Steve Colwell did force Wrenn into a good save in the closing minutes but the hosts deserved their victory and were clearly the stronger side throughout.

Cambridge: Wren, Ramm, Pepper, Lawton, Chaffey, Beech, Prada, Lee (Martin 66), Bossman (Bundschuh 76), Marriott, Dawkin (Kelly 70). Subs not used: Midgley, Barrett.

Terras: Matthews, McConnell, Holland, Colwell, Hutchings, Poole, Joyce (Zima 82), Kelly, Yetton, Rigg, S Walker (McClements 79). Subs not used: Winsper, Greeno.

Bookings – Cambridge: None.

Terras: Colwell (foul 87).

Attendance: 231.