Weymouth 1-0 Eastleigh: Brandon Goodship scores winner

Goodship 71

EASTLEIGH 0

BRANDON Goodship’s low strike ensured Weymouth ended a 13-game winless streak in the Vanarama National League with a 1-0 success over Eastleigh.

Weymouth enjoyed the better of play for large periods and Goodship’s goal came at the end of a 10-minute purple patch for the hosts.

At the other end, keeper Ross Fitzsimons had few saves to make as Weymouth boss David Oldfield earned his first victory in his seventh game.

In urgent need of a result, Oldfield made two changes to the side that began the 1-1 draw with Chesterfield on Saturday.

READ MORE: Weymouth 1-0 Eastleigh - how it happened

One was enforced with loanee striker Dan Smith unable to play against his parent club.

The other saw Tom Bearwish left out of the squad completely against the team he left last summer.

Replacing the absent duo were Brandon Goodship and Ahkeem Rose, scorer of the 98th-minute leveller against Chesterfield.

On the bench, skipper Josh McQuoid, Tom Blair and Manasse Mampala retained their places in the squad, while strikers Brad Ash and Jordan Greenidge were added to the dugout.

However, the Terras confirmed the loan departure of Taofiq Olomowewe to Dulwich Hamlet before kick-off.

For Eastleigh, the Spitfires' captain Tyrone Barnett chalked up his 100th appearance while forward Tjay de Barr earned his first club start.

Fellow attacker Jake Hesketh, who was sent off in the reverse game, was also recalled to the starting line-up.

And it was Eastleigh who duly carried the greater threat up top early on, winning several corners as the visitors looked to cash in on their aerial potency.

With ex-Terra Tom Whelan swinging the set-plays in, Eastleigh saw a half-volley chance for Barnett boom over the bar, before Tom Broadbent headed at home keeper Ross Fitzsimons.

The battle between Whelan and Omar Mussa in midfield was a fascinating watch and it was the former Weymouth man who edged their first-half duel.

Omar Mussa's battle with Tom Whelan was one of the key duels in the game Picture: MARK PROBIN

While Whelan proved the heartbeat of Eastleigh’s midfield, left-back Vincent Harper proved equally tricky but Barnett then ignored the defender’s cross.

Weymouth had received no change in crosses against a formidable Eastleigh aerial presence and the Terras switched tactics to a more grounded approach.

Their adjustment nearly paid dividends when Shields’ clever low ball just evaded Goodship and nearly caught out Spitfires’ keeper Joe McDonnell.

At the other end, Broadbent was cautioned for a high boot on the lively Rose, who then beat the centre-half in a foot race on the break, only for Shields to then cross straight out of play.

Neither side was able to connect with their crosses as Hesketh and Cavaghn Miley deliveries also sailed out of play for Eastleigh.

Weymouth did improve as the half wore on, Aaron Drewe feeding Rose for a low shot at McDonnell – Weymouth’s first on target.

Ahkeem Rose, second left, had Weymouth's first shot on target Picture: MARK PROBIN

Whelan fired into the roof of the stand in response and Goodship then curled tamely at McDonnell after a good Weymouth move on the right.

In first-half stoppage time Shields then spurned the Terras’ best chance, opting not to volley a weak clearance in favour of chesting the ball down and eventually seeing the door closed.

No changes were made at half-time but Weymouth survived a sloppy pass from the back as Barnett fired well over.

Oldfield then opted for a double switch, bringing off Mussa and Drewe for McQuoid and Blair.

McQuoid immediately gave Weymouth an extra dimension but de Barr went close for Eastleigh, slamming into the side netting.

McQuoid was well placed to sweep up a rebound from Ryan Hill’s saved shot and moments later Murray and Shields combined to set up Rose, who fired fiercely over.

Weymouth were now attacking at will as Blair fired at McDonnell following a patient move and the winger then curled just wide following a 60-yard counter.

Having threatened a goal for 10 minutes, Weymouth finally broke through.

Cameron Murray beat the offside trap and a wonderful control on the spin allowed him to pick out Goodship, Shields showing awareness to dummy, before the ex-Southend striker lashed a shot underneath McDonnell.

Brandon Goodship pulls his jersey after scoring against Eastleigh Picture: MARK PROBIN

Eastleigh were rattled as Rose nearly scooped up a long ball before Eastleigh introduced ex-Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman for Hesketh.

Eastleigh briefly got upfield when Hill won a free-kick, only for Josh Hare to blast against the wall.

Weymouth were hemmed in for the remainder as McQuoid earned yellow for a foul and Whelan won a corner when sub Mampala headed behind via his face.

Although the Terras cleared, Whelan’s second ball skimmed off the back of sub Harry Pritchard and just beyond the far post.

Harvey Bunker neglected to take the ball into the corner to help wind down five minutes of added time as Weymouth’s nerves increasingly jangled with Eastleigh applying pressure.

But the Terras were finally able to hold the ball in the Eastleigh far corner, with Goodship fittingly helping run down the clock.

Play extended well into a sixth minute, sparking howls of derision from the hosts, but Weymouth closed the game out to close deservedly within six points of safety.

Terras: Fitzsimons, Cordner, Goodship, Mussa (McQuoid 56), Mnoga, Drewe (Blair 56), Bunker, Murray, Harfield, Rose (Mampala 84), Shields. Subs not used: Ash, Greenidge.

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Hare, Miley (Pritchard 84), Broadbent, Boyce, Barnett (Whitehall 72), Hill, Hesketh (Pitman 78), de Barr, Whelan, Harper. Subs not used: Kelly, Hollands.

Referee: Jacob Miles

Attendance: 1,053