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Six of the best as Weymouth run riot in win over Basingstoke Town
AN EMPHATIC away display saw the Terras strike six at Basingstoke Town, as they got back to winning ways with a bang at the Camrose Stadium.
A hat-trick for Stuart Fleetwood, two for Charlie Davis and a solitary strike for Dean Evans were recorded on the afternoon, as Weymouth ran riot to record their 11th league victory of the season.
Terras’ manager Jason Matthews, whose side beat Basingstoke 3-0 at the Bob Lucas Stadium back in October, named an unchanged starting XI from the side that lost 2-1 at Cambridge City last time out.
Having only been able to name three substitutes on the bench on that occasion, this time reserves’ winger Dom Panesar-Dower was brought in to bolster numbers on the bench with Calvin Brooks, who continues to recover from injury.
Basingstoke went into the contest with four straight wins under their belts in all competitions, including an impressive victory at Banbury United last time out.
The home side, who made one change, had taken 11 points from their last six league games and knew a win against Matthews’ men would see them leapfrog the Terras in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division table.
After a slow start to the contest, Weymouth’s Chris Shephard managed to muster the first real chance on 17 minutes. His effort from range deflected wide of the target.
There was then concern for Basingstoke keeper Alex Tokarczyk, who picked up a knock, but with no replacement keeper on the bench for the hosts, he soldiered on.
A late challenge by Evans then earned him a caution midway through the opening period, in a game where both sides struggled to settle.
But, all of a sudden, the Terras came to life with a quick-fire double.
First, Fleetwood continued his impressive scoring form by notching the opener on 26 minutes. He shifted the ball on to his right foot and found the bottom corner with a precise effort.
And it got even better for the away side just three minutes later.
A free-kick from Davis was powered into the top corner, despite a touch from Tokarczyk, to put the away side well in the box seat.
It was a dream opening for Matthews’ men, but they were however forced into an early change due to injury. Playmaker Chris Shephard was forced off in place of player-assistant Mark Molesley.
It was Molesley however, just four minutes after coming on, who played a big part in the Terras’ third goal. He was brought down inside the area by Tokarczyk and referee Neal Templey pointed straight to the spot.
With no Shephard on the field, up stepped Davis to rifle the ball into the corner and increase the lead before the break.
Just 20 seconds after the interval, Weymouth were given a scare by the hosts. A slip from Stephane Zubar meant Aaron Jarvis ran in on goal and McHale was forced into making another cracking stop.
But after that warning signal, the hosts pulled a goal back on 47 minutes.
Aaron Redford converted from close range to make it 3-1 and put his side back in with a sniff.
Basingstoke’s Joe Gator then headed straight at McHale before Jordan Copp went down at the other end under a challenge, the referee waved away his appealed for another spot-kick.
The Terras did get their fourth on the hour mark however, Evans got the final touch to a corner to restore the three-goal cushion. Basingstoke’s Sam Deadfield felt he cleared the ball off the line but the goal was given.
There was nothing controversial about the visitors’ fifth however and it was that man Fleetwood who added his second of the afternoon.
He broke clear and finished with a classy lob for 5-1.
The experienced frontman was by no means done there though. He recorded his hat-trick nine minutes from time to add a sixth for the Terras, who were in complete control.
That was Fleetwood’s 11th league strike in 12 games and his eighth in his last five, as the Terras went home extremely happy with their afternoon’s work.
