WEYMOUTH 2

Rowan 27, Thomson 51

MAIDSTONE UNITED 3

Amantchi 34, 61, Sole 73

WEYMOUTH slipped to a 3-2 defeat against Maidstone United in the Vanarama National League South, despite twice leading.

Charlie Rowan’s header and Ben Thomson’s pure strike in either half handed Weymouth the advantage, but Levi Amantchi found two equalisers.

And Liam Sole was on target 17 minutes from time as all Maidstone’s goals came from crosses, consigning the Terras to a third straight defeat.

Weymouth boss Bobby Wilkinson made six changes to the side that began the 2-0 loss to Worthing last time out.

READ MORE: Weymouth 2-3 Maidstone United - report

Ex-Coventry defender Jordon Thompson made his first appearance of the season since joining, following a hamstring injury.

Leo Hamblin, Rowan, Brandon Goodship, Thomson and Dan Roberts were also back in the fold.

Anthony Cheshire is suspended, while Teddy Howe was on the bench after his red card at Worthing.

Josh McQuoid is out for the season, forward Tommy Stagg and wingers Joel Rollinson and Keelan O'Connell dropping to a strong-looking bench.

There they are joined by Howe, plus wingers Frankie Monk and Keelan O'Connell.

Norman Wabo and Nahum Melvin-Lambert are not included after suffering with food poisoning.

Weymouth did the double over Maidstone back in 2019/2020 and there was an energetic start from the Terras in the first minute as they won a corner, only to be penalised for handball.

Terras’ skipper Tom Bearwish then engineered himself a chance, bursting through the heart of the Maidstone defence before Raphe Brown blocked his path to goal.

Maidstone, relegated from the National League last season, offered little early on as Chi Ezennolim’s cross sailed out of play for a goal-kick.

With the teams evenly matched in midfield, Weymouth were able to unlock the Maidstone door with a succession of set-pieces.

In the 27th minute, Ben Thomson won Weymouth a corner by escorting the ball out of play and Brandon Goodship’s delivery picked out Rowan, who buried a header past keeper Lucas Covolan.

Maidstone’s response was swift as, shortly after Ogo Obi’s shot was saved by the left leg of Gerard Benfield, the Stones drew level on 34 minutes.

Ezennolim set up Lamar Reynolds and his delivery was attacked and headed home by Levi Amantchi for the visitors’ equaliser.

Maidstone ended the half the stronger side as Benfield denied Reynolds and Liam Sole nodded against the bar from Devonte Aransibia’s ball in.

However, it took just six minutes of the second half for Weymouth to retake the lead.

Weymouth intercepted Aransibia’s pass and Thomson needed no second invitation to fire a sweet strike beyond Covolan to score his first goal since returning to the club last year.

Once more, Maidstone were not behind for long as the Stones fashioned a second equaliser of the afternoon,

In truth it was too easy for the visitors as Sole’s cross found Amantchi at the back post and he was able to head home comfortably past Benfield.

Thomson was then immediately replaced by O’Connell and on 65 minutes Wilkinson made his final two subs as Howe and Rollinson came on for Thompson and Scott Rees.

The alterations did little to lift Weymouth and Maidstone once more punished them from a cross to take the lead for the first time.

Brown was the assist-maker this time, supplying Sole who turned home past Benfield to the delight of Maidstone’s travelling support.

Weymouth tried to find a reply but O’Connell could not direct a header on target in the 78th minute and the hosts struggled to conjure further chances as time ticked down.

The Terras had good possession in the final five minutes, committing men forward, but could not find another opening in normal time.

Eight added minutes were bolted on and Weymouth tested Covolan in the 94th minute when Roberts blasted at the keeper, bringing a good save from the Brazilian.

Weymouth continued to mount heavy pressure at the end but could not find a way through as the Terras were left frustrated in front of their own fans for the second time in eight days.

Terras: Benfield, Brooks, Thompson (Howe 65), Rowan, Hamblin, Sesay, Goodship, Bearwish, Rees (Rollinson 65), Thomson (O’Connell 61), Roberts. Subs not used: Stagg, Monk.

Maidstone: Covolan, Ezennolim, Fowler, Brown, Reynolds, Aransibia, Obi (Wanjau-Smith 57), Bone, Sole (de Graft 75), Amantchi (Iandolo 90+8), Kelly. Subs not used: Court, Earle.

Referee: Martin Ross

Attendance: 905