WEYMOUTH 1
Thomson 40
WEALDSTONE 1
McAvoy 62
WEYMOUTH were deservedly pegged back to a 1-1 draw with Wealdstone in a low-key Vanarama National League clash at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
Both teams struggled for fluency, Weymouth looking a touch jaded from their FA Cup loss to Yeovil in midweek.
Weymouth did take the lead through Ben Thomson’s close-range finish but Fulham loanee Connor McAvoy equalised with a flick.
The Terras searched for a winner late on but failed to create a clear-cut chance as their winless run extended to 10 games.
Weymouth manager Brian Stock made five changes to freshen up his squad after the FA Cup penalty shootout loss to Yeovil Town in midweek.
READ MORE: Weymouth 1-1 Wealdstone - how it happened
Taofiq Olomowewe missed out from the squad completely but Brad Ash, Omar Mussa, Tom Bearwish and Calvin Brooks all made the bench.
In came Brandon Goodship, Josh McQuoid, Josh Leslie-Smith and Andy Robinson, while Martell Taylor-Crossdale retained his place on the bench.
Weymouth were looking to end a nine-game winless streak, the longest sequence without a win since 2008/09 season when Alan Lewer's Terras went 11 games without three points.
And the Terras certainly came out with positive intent following the gut-wrenching loss against Yeovil, conjuring the first big chance on seven minutes.
It fell to Robinson, the midfielder striding onto Ollie Harfield’s low cross before slamming left-footed at Wealdstone keeper George Wickens, who parried clear.
Weymouth were patiently probing away at the Wealdstone defence and a scything ball over the top by Josef Yarney set Goodship away.
The striker was clean through and took the ball round Wickens only for the keeper to push the ball wider and Wealdstone to clear Goodship’s resultant cross aimed at Thomson.
Wealdstone were on the attack on 20 minutes, forcing Ross Fitzsimons into his first save as a lovely move ended with Nik Tavares firing at goal, Fitzsimons pushing clear one-handed.
Ashley Charles fired over after good work by Dennon Lewis on the break and another counter ended with Tavares flashing a cross along the six-yard box.
Weymouth struggled for fluency but were the more aggressive side before taking the lead in the 40th minute.
Shields’ fizzing low cross was pushed by Wickens only as far as Goodship, who was unlucky to see his effort cleared off the line.
However, Thomson was there to sweep into the top-left corner to give the Terras the lead.
Wealdstone tried to respond before the break, only for Josh Umerah to blaze wildly over from inside the box on the right.
During half-time a Weymouth fan was stretchered out of the ground after being tended to by medics. The supporter was conscious.
With Wealdstone failing to impress in the first half, the visitors carried a big threat from the off in the second half.
Jay Bird went close after 40 seconds before Umerah’s deflected shot span up into the hands of Fitzsimons.
Bird forced Fitzsimons into a tremendous save on 55 minutes, holding off his man and shooting left-footed.
His effort appeared to be creeping into the bottom-right corner only for Fitzsimons to get fingertips to the attempt, pushing it round the post.
Wealdstone unsuccessfully appealed for penalty, claiming Harfield to have handled, before they deservedly equalised in the 62nd minute.
Weymouth did not deal with a free-kick from the left and Fulham loanee McAvoy snuck in to flick past Fitzsimons from six yards.
Wealdstone continued to push for a second as sub Ira Jackson tested Fitzsimons and Harfield scooped a cross behind from underneath his own bar.
Weymouth did get a grip on the game as the half endured but the late spell of pressure failed to produce a serious chance, despite numerous crosses raining into the box.
Six minutes of added time were called for but still the Terras could not find a breakthrough as Leslie-Smith slipped while shooting from 30 yards, the ball trickling into Wickens’ gloves.
Sub Ash had a late stab at goal from just inside the area, but although powerful the effort was cushioned down by Wickens.
Ash’s effort was the last of the game as the Terras were made to settle for a frustrating point.
Terras: Fitzsimons, Cordner, Goodship (Ash 80), Thomson (Mussa 59), McQuoid, Leslie-Smith, Robinson, Murray, Yarney (Brooks 46), Harfield, Shields. Subs not used: Bearwish, Taylor-Crossdale.
Wealdstone: Wickens, Cook, Charles, Okimo, Umerah (Fasanmade 79), Lewis, McAvoy, Tavares, Dyer (Buse 72), Bird (Jackson 64), Cooper. Subs not used: Eleftheriou, Mundle-Smith.
Referee: Scott Jackson
Attendance: 1,024
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here