WIMBORNE TOWN 0

WEYMOUTH 0

WEYMOUTH extended their league lead after a drab Dorset derby dominated by the wind at Wimborne as the two sides floundered to a 0-0 stalemate in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South.

Mark Molesley’s men benefitted from Taunton Town’s 2-0 loss at Frome and Salisbury’s 2-0 reverse at struggling Tiverton, although rivals Met Police beat Kings Langley 1-0.

The weather ruined any hope of acute, smooth football in what was a great shame given that with Brandon Goodship and Toby Holmes playing the fixture could boast two strikers on 29 league goals each this season.

There was just one change for Weymouth, as Josh Carmichael replaced Josh Wakefield.

However, the story was on the bench with a new signing and a returning player featuring for the Terras.

Kieron Roberts has signed after a spell in America, while Lewis Harvey is back with the Terras again.

The match as expected, was dominated by the wind which was blowing towards the Wimborne goal during the first half.

In a sign of just how blustery it was, a Jake McCarthy ball across goal had to be acrobatically headed away by the defence.

With eyes towards Holmes and Goodship the home side tried to get the former involved with early long passes, none of which came off.

McCarthy then had an ambitious shot from distance which went wide.

Calvin Brooks threatened with a great run down the right but his shot was tame and easily saved by Gerard Benfield.

A shot across goal then saw the home side cause alarm in the Weymouth box, but the visitors were able to clear.

It was a superb, true derby atmosphere with both sets of fans in fine voice and both teams were matching each other in similar fashion.

A free-kick from Wimborne’s Lee Francis almost generated the opening goal when it was hammered powerfully wide by James Stokoe from inside the box.

There was brief danger through two Wimborne corners but it was Weymouth who next went close with a corner headed just wide not long after.

Corners were proving a useful outlet for both sides at this stage as Stokoe nodded wide in what looked like a free header.

Luke Holmes then received the ball inside the box and slammed in an effort towards goal but Weymouth goalkeeper Tom McHale did brilliantly to palm the ball over the bar, although the strength of the wind meant he had to catch it again.

Burbidge curled an effort wide but the stalemate was looking ominous as the two sides went in 0-0 at the break.

Wimborne began the half with an ambitious effort straight from the centre circle from kick-off, but it went over the bar.

Wimborne tried their luck from range numerous times in a clear effort to try and take advantage of the wind, but to no avail.

There were early penalty appeals when Ben Thomson went down in the box but the referee was quick to wave them away.

Odubade then fired wide after some good work from Brooks.

Another long shot rained in from Wimborne, but found McHale in superb form and deservedly kept a third consecutive clean sheet.

Toby Holmes then failed to cover himself in glory as he missed a golden chance.

A shot came in which McHale could only parry to the feet of Holmes, who somehow scooped the ball over the bar in a big let-off for the Terras.

A free-kick from 35 yards out was then curled in towards the top corner which the leaping McHale did brilliantly to parry away from goal.

With the wind against them Weymouth found it hard going in attack but were still able to create chances, albeit none hugely clear-cut to trouble Benfield.

The best Weymouth chance of the half came through captain McCarthy who struck a powerful, low shot but Benfield got down low to save effectively.

Cameron Murray was introduced for Abdulai Baggie in a late effort to shake things up.

It almost worked, with a huge appeal for a penalty late on, but it was not given.

Ultimately, and almost predictably given the conditions, the two sides ended 0-0.

Wimborne: Benfield, Francis, Penny, Davidson, Maybury, Pettefer, Stokoe, Young, T Holmes, Burbidge, L Holmes

Subs not used: Owen, Collins, Bayston, Shepherd.

Terras: McHale, Brooks, Wells, Sherring, Zubar, McCarthy, Odubade (Baker 89), Carmichael, Thomson, Goodship, Baggie (Murray 80)

Subs not used: Childs, Harvey, Roberts

Attendance: 697