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Yetton strikes as 10-man Weymouth claim a point at Chesham United
WEYMOUTH put an end to a run of two-straight defeats as they battled their way to a point at Chesham United.
A goal from Stewart Yetton ensured Jason Matthews’ men secured a 1-1 draw at the Meadow, despite Calvin Brooks being sent off for a second bookable offence in the second half.
The Terras’ boss sprung a surprise just hours before kick-off by announcing that former Cherries’ defender Stephane Zubar had joined the club on non-contract terms, having trained with Weymouth on Thursday evening.
The 29-year-old was handed a start in a Terras’ line-up which included big, big changes.
Matthews made the decision to drop himself in place of Dan Thomas in goal, as Zubar came in for Ashley Wells in defence.
That meant Mark Cooper played right-back and Jake Wannell moved over to the left.
Higher up the pitch, Dan Smith was replaced by player-coach Mark Molesley. Jordan Copp came in for the suspended Chris Shephard and there was also a recall for Yetton, who replaced striker Sam Jordan.
Chesham included former Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City defender Darren Purse in their line-up.
At a place where Weymouth have notoriously struggled in recent times, the visitors started solidly. The first real chance of the game for the away side came on eight minutes as Copp blazed over the bar.
But the Generals had totalled a whopping 12 goals in their last three league fixtures against Weymouth prior to kick-off, and, after 15 minutes, they added another to get the breakthrough.
A corner, taken by Dave Pearce, drifted over everybody and somehow managed to find its way into the net to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Brooks was then cautioned for the away side and Molesley, on his return to the starting XI, saw his effort charged down.
A glorious opportunity for the home team then went begging as Chesham fluffed their lines in a bid to make it 2-0.
Weymouth’s Ben Thomson was then the next name to go into referee’s book but, after being severely under the cosh, Matthews’ charges levelled things up against the run of play.
Back in the side from the start, it was that man Yetton who popped up with a deft finish to make it 1-1 and score his first league goal of the campaign, just before the break.
Chesham started the second period brightly and they almost went back in front, only for Weymouth keeper Thomas to deny striker Drew Roberts, who netted a brace against Dorchester Town earlier this season.
As the game progressed, a slick Terras’ move them almost resulted in them gaining the upper hand. Some neat build-up culminated with Cooper striking at goal but he failed to hit the target.
It was then to be an uphill task for the Terras as Brooks, who was also dismissed when the sides clashed in February 2015, was sent off for his second bookable offence.
The drama then continued at the other end as Yetton came within inches of striking his second for the 10 man Terras – he hit the crossbar and Zubar, having come up from the back, failed to convert the follow-up.
Jordan was then introduced in place of Thomson, but it was Thomas at the other end who kept the scores level with another good save as the spoils were shared.
