Goaless Terras held by tricky Billericay
WEYMOUTH 0
BILLERICAY TOWN 0
Report by: Sam Holmes
Weymouth move up to 4th in the table after a dull 0-0 draw against Billericay Town at the Bob Lucas Stadium in the Vanarama National League South on Saturday.
The Terras came close twice in the first half from chances by Abdulai Baggie who narrowly fired wide after Alan Julian parried Jake McCarthy’s strike, and a scramble inside the Billericay box saw Josh McQuoid, McCarthy and Brett Williams have their shots blocked.
The Ricay had big chances themselves, most notably Femi Akinwande forcing Callum Ward into an exceptional save from a corner in the second half.
Weymouth boss Mark Molesley made one change from last weekend’s stunning comeback victory at Hampton & Richmond with captain McQuoid coming in to replace Yemi Odubade on the wing.
It was the home team who made the better start and had the first chance of the game seven minutes in when McCarthy picked up the ball and had a shot from long range which goalkeeper Julian pushed right into Baggie’s path, but the Sierra Leone winger could only fire wide of the post.
Ben Thomson had a great opportunity three minutes later after Baggie and Calvin Brooks linked up superbly down the right and Brooks’ cross found Thomson in the penalty area, however his strike was comfortably saved by Julian.
The Terras could have gone ahead 30 minutes in but were denied by Billericay’s Michael Chambers who hacked down Williams whose surging run would have taken him through on goal.
Chambers deservedly received a yellow card for the challenge and McCarthy’s free-kick went straight into the wall.
Again, McCarthy had a pop from long range in the 38th minute, this time his effort fizzed way over the crossbar.
Some excellent defending from the Ricay stopped Weymouth taking the lead before the break.
Ollie Hartfield’s corner dropped into the box and strikes from McQuoid, McCarthy and then Williams were all blocked and Jamie O’Hara’s team survived the late pressure.
Weymouth went into half time having dominated the first 45, but found themselves level.
A quiet start to the second half suddenly came to life 60 minutes in when Billericay’s Jack Paxman’s corner kick was flicked on by Chambers to Femi Akinwande who poked the ball goalwards and forced Callum Ward into a brilliant save.
Paxman created another opportunity in the 75th minute as he played through Alfie Potter down the left and towards goal but his effort went high and wide and the score remained level.
The Terras’ biggest chance of the second half fell to substitute Odubade after a great shot by Williams was again fumbled by Julian.
The ball fell to Odubade who couldn’t hit the target as his strike sailed into the stands.
Moments later, Odubade came close for a second time when his shot from just outside the box forced a diving save by Julian who pushed the ball to safety.
An additional six minutes were added on after 90 minutes but neither side could create anything clear cut and the referee blew for full time in which was a disappointing game of football for Weymouth.
It wasn’t all gloom for the hosts though as home defeat for Havant & Waterlooville means a point was good enough to move up to 4th place in the table.
The Terras managed to keep their first clean sheet since the away win at Hemel Hempstead late in January.
It was the first time Molesley’s men failed to score since New Years Day on which was a fantastic goalscoring run up until now.
Terras: Ward, Harfield, Zubar, Whelan, McCarthy, Thomson, McQuoid (Odubade 73), Baggie, Brooks (Olumuyiwa 87), Williams (Wakefield 83), Hobson.
Subs not used: Childs, Robinson.
Billericay: Julian, Chambers, Hudson, Henry, Potter, Noel-Williams, (Robinson 78), Loft (Kefalas 37), Paxman, Akinwande, Cole (Gillela 56), Cook.
Subs not used: Jackson, Galach.
Attendance: 983
Referee: Scott Tallis
