WEYMOUTH 3

Byerley 2, 12, Malsom 7

AFC TOTTON 2

Gosney pen 26, Sherborne 65

IT WAS Totton’s turn to taste defeat as Weymouth gained sweet revenge at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Driven by the disappointment of their FA Cup exit at the hands of the Stags just seven days previous, the Terras made a blistering start in this FA Trophy first qualifying round tie – going three goals to the good after just 12 minutes.

And Warren Byerley’s double, together with a Sam Malsom cross that evaded everyone before nestling in the net, ultimately did the damage, despite a Mike Gosney penalty and a second-half strike from substitute Nathaniel Sherborne.

The Terras made just a single change to the side that started last week’s controversial clash between the two teams – Ben Gerring returning at the heart of the defence, in place of recent signing Jamie Frampton.

Fresh from a one-month loan spell at rivals Dorchester Town, keeper Nick Jordan had to settle for a spot on the bench.

The Stags meanwhile, named former Weymouth and Dorchester man James Coutts in their line-up, as well as ex-Terras defender Matt Oldring.

Keen to avenge the previous weekend’s disappointment, the hosts came out all guns blazing and made the perfect start with less than two minutes on the clock.

Malsom latched on to Scott Dixon’s throw and skilfully lifted the ball over an oncoming defender before delivering low for an unmarked Byerley to net the easiest goal he will ever score.

The early strike was by no means a fluke as the Terras doubled their advantage five minutes later.

Malsom put in another fine cross with Byerley once again the intended target, and although the latter could not quite get a touch, the ball sailed into the far corner.

The visitors appeared shell-shocked and they found themselves three goals down soon after.

Stephen Reed’s initial corner was met by Gerring at the far post but nodded straight back to the feet of the former.

The midfield man delivered once more and this time Byerley was there to head past a beleaguered Grant Porter in the Totton goal.

It could so nearly have been four just past the quarter-hour but fortunately for the visitors, Aidan Lewis was in the right place to clear Sam Poole’s header, from another Reed corner, off the goal-line.

It wasn’t until midway through the half that table-topping Totton registered their first shot of the afternoon – Coutts firing narrowly wide.

Back at the other end, Craig Duff saw his volley smack the outside of the left-hand post.

Having been severely under the cosh, the Hampshire outfit were thrown a lifeline when referee Adam Nunn spotted an infringement by Gerring on ex-Terra Coutts and pointed to the spot.

Gosney, one of four men who saw red the week before, stepped up and blasted the spot-kick high into the net.

Totton now sensed a dramatic comeback, especially when Nathan Jack found himself one-on-one after dispossessing a hesitant Poole.

The home defender was spared any embarrassment though, as a heavy touch from Jack enabled Tom Manley to race off his line and snuff out the danger.

A brave header from Dixon prevented Coutts connecting with Mark Osman’s 41st-minute cross as Totton continued to press. Weymouth though, deserved their lead as the half-time whistle blew.

Both sides mustered early opportunities as the second half got underway. First, Osman could only shoot straight at Manley after leaving Poole for dead, before Matt Groves almost connected with a cross-cum-shot from strike partner Byerley.

Jack was also denied by Manley just past the hour but it was the Terras who went closest to finding the next goal with Duff keeping Reed’s deep corner alive and Gerring heading against the crossbar.

However, just 60 seconds later, the tie was very much in the balance as Sherborne made an instant impact.

The visiting forward had only been on the field for a matter of seconds when Byron Napper’s interception fell straight to him 18 yards out.

Sherborne composed himself with his first touch of the afternoon and fired low past Manley with his second.

The Terras looked dangerous from corners all day and from another centre by Reed, Byerley’s effort was hacked off the line.

Jamie Beasley entered the fray and almost scored with his first contribution – Porter saving with his legs – before Groves had an effort ruled out for a foul on the Totton gloveman.

The Stags also had chances of their own late on and only a fine save from Manley kept out Jonathan Davies’ 25-yard set-piece.

But there was to be no sting in the tail as Weymouth held firm to book their spot in the next round and bank £2,200 in the process.

Terras: Manley, Tribe, Dixon, Napper, Gerring, Poole, Duff, Malsom (Beasley 70), Groves (McKechnie 83), Byerley, Reed. Subs not used: Frampton, Marshallsay, Jordan.

Stags: Porter, Lewis, Baddeley, Oldring, Whisken, Campbell, Pettefer, Coutts (Davies 61), Jack, Osman (Sherborne 64), Gosney (Caseu 76). Subs not used: Hill, Charles, McKie.