Weymouth return to summit with Hendon win

WEYMOUTH    3
Thomson 31 Odubade 63 Brooks 87
HENDON    0

WEYMOUTH took full advantage of their title rivals’ slipping up to return to the top of the table with a confident 3-0 win over Hendon in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South.

Goals from Ben Thomson, Yemi Odubade and Calvin Brooks sealed the convincing victory to cap a fine afternoon for Weymouth.

The Terras’ starting team was identical to that which won 2-0 at Frome last time out with the only difference coming from the bench, where Josh Carmichael was replaced by the returning Harry Baker.

A late change saw Ashley Wells replace Jordan Ngalo in the starting line-up due to a tight hamstring for the latter.

The first chance for the Terras came after just two minutes when Brandon Goodship fired in from a corner but Hendon goalkeeper Andrew McCorkell did well to get low and save.

A good move featuring Hendon’s front three of Connor Calcutt, Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick and Charlie Smith allowed the visitors to put on a bit of pressure.

However, the home side replied with a couple of barnstorming runs in quick succession.

Thomson raced forward and walked through the penalty area but his cutback was cleared away.

Moments later, Brooks charged down the right, but shot high and wide.

Hendon’s Matthew Harriott then had an overhead kick from close to the edge of the box, but it was blocked away.

A collision between Thomson and McCorkell then saw the former pick up a yellow card.

Shortly after this, Thomson almost sent a low, creeping effort past McCorkell but the Hendon stopper saved.

After 27 minutes, a great break from Weymouth could have seen them grab the opening goal.

Odubade then led a counter-attack, steaming ahead, before getting a square pass over to Abdulai Baggie.

Baggie was able to slot a great, low pass through to Josh Wakefield, who lost control but earned a corner.

Yet the Terras would get the breakthrough and it was through Thomson, who had the goal on a plate.

Goodship was the man delivering, threading a ball across the box leaving Thomson with a near-open goal to slot in.

Weymouth were really finding their groove at this point, and almost had a second after 37 minutes.

Baggie cut the ball back to Goodship who thumped an effort in towards the Hendon goal but McCorkell was equal to it.

The first half came to a close without further major incident as Weymouth took a well-earned 1-0 lead into the break.

Hendon came out of the break revitalised and began taking much more of the possession.

A 35-yard free-kick resulted in Sergio Manesio heading towards the Weymouth goal but it was an easy save for goalkeeper Tom McHale.

Consecutive corners ended with Luke Tingey heading a high effort which McHale claimed for Weymouth.

The momentum was with the visitors but it was to be cruelly punctured as Weymouth extended their lead.

Calvin Brooks crossed a ball over to Odubade, who curled an effort in to put clear daylight on the scoreboard.

Weymouth began dominating at this point.

Goodship slammed an effort towards goal on the angle, but McCorkell was equal to it.

Weymouth were becoming very familiar with the visitors’ penalty area but could not add a further goal.

Hendon forced the Terras into some haphazard defending, blocking away two shots in quick succession.

Substitute Cameron Murray then nearly added a third, but when bursting through the middle from the edge of the box, a heavy touch allowed McCorkell to claim the ball.

Brooks killed the game off late on for the Terras.

A shot from close range rebounded to the defender, who slotted in to wide celebrations.

A late bonus for Weymouth was seeing the return from injury of Baker, who replaced Odubade in the 90th minute.

Weymouth travel to Poole for a Dorset Senior Cup semi-final on Tuesday (7.45pm)

Terras: McHale, Brooks, Wells, Sherring, Zubar, McCarthy, Odubade (Baker 90), Wakefield (Murray 45+1), Thomson, Goodship, Baggie.

Subs not used: Ngalo, Childs, Buckley.

Hendon: McCorkell, Gardiner-Smith, Chappell, Manesio, Tingey, Brown, Hope (Obi 71), Harriott, Calcutt (Toomey 82), Hippolyte-Patrick, Smith (Sayoud 71).  Subs not used: Hall, Jonas.

Attendance: 759