Aldershot Town 0-2 Weymouth: Ben Thomson nets again for Terras

WEYMOUTH 2

Thomson 9, Lyons-Foster 62 og

WEYMOUTH ended a 10-game winless run with a professional 2-0 away win over Aldershot in the Vanarama National League.

Ben Thomson laid the template for the Terras’ textbook victory on the road, pouncing on a parry from Tom Bearwish’s shot to head home nine minutes in.

Bearwish missed a good chance to extend the lead but Kodi Lyons-Foster turned his back on an Ollie Harfield corner, the ball deflecting in for an own goal for 2-0.

Aldershot came forward in numbers but Weymouth were equal to the task, holding firm to record their first clean sheet in 23 games.

Victory will come as welcome relief to Weymouth boss Brian Stock, who made three changes to the side that began the 1-1 draw with Wealdstone on Saturday.

Josef Yarney (calf) and Sean Shields missed out completely, while Brandon Goodship dropped to the bench.

READ MORE: Aldershot Town 0-2 Weymouth - how it happened

In came midfielders Omar Mussa and Bearwish, plus centre-half Taofiq Olomowewe.

Striker Martell Taylor-Crossdale was on the bench, still waiting for his first start, while winger Ahkeem Rose took a place in the matchday 16 after missing the past two games.

Brad Ash and Calvin Brooks were Stock's other options from the dugout.

There were two former Terras in the Aldershot line-up in the shape of Corey Jordan and Ryan Glover.

Aldershot had lost all five of their home league games prior to this contest and nearly went 1-0 down within 15 seconds in this clash.

Mussa set Bearwish clean through but the former Eastleigh striker was denied one-on-one by the brave block of Shots’ keeper Mitch Walker.

Aldershot retaliated almost immediately when Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain forced Ross Fitzsimons into a sharp save, quickly followed by an effort from Glover.

But Weymouth were ahead in the ninth minute when Bearwish twisted and turned before firing at Walker.

From the keeper’s parry, the ball popped up and Thomson came through a forest of bodies to head home.

Action continued to flow end-to-end as Ollie Harfield picked out Andy Robinson from a free-kick, although the midfielder’s pass in the box was cut out by the covering defence.

Aldershot’s clearance set Lewis Kinsella away but the tireless Bearwish tore back to block the Shots’ captain’s pass.

Weymouth fashioned another chance as Cameron Murray scampered down the left wing and his inviting cross was guided just wide by the head of Bearwish.

Aldershot, who have quickly adopted Molesley’s attractive passing style, saw Mikael Ndjoli blaze over and Charlie Wagstaff chip a cross to Fitzsimons in response.

Toby Edser headed a Shots corner wide but Weymouth became increasingly disillusioned with the officiating as both Robinson and Tyler Cordner were booked for dissent.

Aldershot began a rain-soaked second half brightly as Ndjoli worked Fitzsimons again, amid a flurry of corners.

Just past the hour, Weymouth earned a corner of their own against the run of play when Leslie-Smith forced Walker into turning behind.

Harfield’s corner was allowed to bounce off Aldershot defender Kodi Lyons-Foster and in, sparking delirium in the 104-strong travelling Weymouth support.

Molesley introduced all three subs by 66 minutes and the third – Gime Toure – blazed a wild shot over the bar.

Weymouth defended stoutly as Aldershot came forward, ruining promising situations for Corie Andrews and sub Ibrahim Akanbi.

Olomowewe was particularly effective, marshalling the Terras’ defence with authority.

Taofiq Olomowewe, second right, enjoyed a superb game for Weymouth Picture: MARK PROBIN

A succession of corners in the final 15 minutes failed to trouble Weymouth as Jordan headed wide.

Weymouth looked a threat on the counter with the extra pace of Taylor-Crossdale – on for the booked Thomson.

Former Fulham man Taylor-Crossdale took the ball deep into Aldershot’s half and provided the perfect respite for Weymouth’s defenders.

Martell Taylor-Crossdale, left, caused problems for Aldershot Picture: MARK PROBIN

The ex-Chelsea man even troubled Walker, shooting from distance and then again with six minutes to go, stinging the keeper’s palms.

Weymouth were never seriously threatened by Aldershot but did have to be wary of a late counter, ending when Andrews thumped an effort into the side netting.

Stock’s men were good value for the win, though, and saw out five minutes of added time to claim their second away league victory of the season.

Defeat also handed Molesley a fifth loss in his first six games, including an FA Cup exit to lower-league Bowers & Pitsea.

Weymouth remain in 19th following impressive wins for Barnet and Wealdstone over Stockport and Grimsby, but the Terras are now four points above the bottom three.

Aldershot: Walker, Kinsella, Wagstaff, Lyons-Foster, Edser, Andrews, C Oxlade-Chamberlain (Akanbi 66), Glover (Toure 52), Jordan, Ndjoli (Whittingham 66), Vennings. Subs not used: Coulter, Bettamer.

Terras: Fitzsimons, Cordner, Mussa (Goodship 68), Thomson (Taylor-Crossdale 77), McQuoid (Rose 82), Bearwish, Leslie-Smith, Robinson, Murray, Harfield, Olomowewe. Subs not used: Ash, Brooks.

Attendance: 1,510