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Matthews’ men foiled by Foxley and Foy in defeat to Cambridge City
AN EARLY strike from in-form frontman Stuart Fleetwood proved not enough, as the Terras fell to defeat at lowly Cambridge City.
Fleetwood popped up with the opener to put the visitors in the box-seat at the break having made the long trip to Westwood Road.
But in the end, Weymouth were powerless to stop a Lilywhites’ side recording back-to-back wins, following an influx of players to their set-up last week.
While they probably met a City side at the wrong time of the campaign with the hosts having bolstered their numbers, Weymouth will look back at this encounter as a game they should have got something from.
The Terras went into the contest with relegation-threatened City having made just one change from the starting XI that overcame Cinderford Town on Saturday.
Dean Evans, who boss Jason Matthews revealed may be struggling with a hernia problem, was brought back into the starting XI in place of Mark Molesley, who dropped to the bench.
The visitors’ dugout must have been fairly spacious on the night, with only Matthews
himself, Molesley and Stewart Yetton named among the substitutes.
Both Conor Jevon and Aaron Rodriguez, who came on as replacements on Saturday, were not listed in the travelling party.
Hosts City went into the contest having strengthened their ranks with no fewer than five new additions to their squad last week – they played a part as the Lilywhites overcame Chesham United 3-1 on Saturday.
One of those who made an impact was Cambridge United loanee Matt Foy, who netted a double against the Generals. He started for the hosts against the Terras off the back of that display.
And it was the home side who had the first chance of the contest, a free-kick in a dangerous area was whipped on to the head of Jordan Gent, who glanced just wide.
But after that early scare the visitors found their stride and took the lead after just eight minutes. In-form striker Fleetwood cut inside and found the far corner to record his fifth league goal in four games.
Weymouth’s other loan recruit in keeper Tom McHale then paid dividends at the other end. A Lilywhites’ corner saw their initial effort blocked and, on the follow up, the young gloveman reacted well to keep the score at 1-0.
A free-kick from Chris Shephard was then well held by home keeper Dean Snedker before Fleetwood looked to have broken clear again, but for an offside flag.
After McHale was tasked with another sharp stop, Weymouth’s Charlie Davis then found the roof of the net with a free-kick.
But, just three minutes into the second half, City were level.
A deflected effort fell kindly to Darren Foxley, who made no mistake in nodding in at the far post for 1-1.
It then got worse for Weymouth as they fell behind on the hour mark. After McHale parried an initial effort, that man Foy was on hand to convert and record his third goal in two games for the home side, as Weymouth were left reeling at 2-1.
Yetton then replaced Chris Allen as Matthews looked to make something happen, shortly after, shouts for a Weymouth penalty after an alleged handball in the City box were waved away.
Molesley was then brought on in place of Copp for the visitors, moments later Jake Wannell headed over the bar. Davis and Evans then picked up cautions.
It then almost got even worse for the Terras as they gave away a late spot-kick, but McHale was on hand to turn a tame effort away.
Evans then came within inches of levelling the contest up once more for the visitors but the post denied him, as Matthews’ men missed the chance to record their third straight league win.
