Chesterfield comeback denies Terras

WEYMOUTH 1

Shields 40

Report: Alfie Lumb

Weymouth returned to action for the first time in just under a month as they narrowly lost to Chesterfield 2-1 on Saturday.

The away side put pressure on early from kick-off with six players charging up field and forcing a long throw-in. Weymouth cleared the danger, but the ball fell to Tom Denton. Denton curled a right-footed effort towards the centre of goal forcing an acrobatic save from Gerard Benfield within the first minute.

A long ball was nodded down by Denton for Asante. The new signing struck it with his left across goal but Benfield got down low to deflect the shot well with his feet.

Asante was through on goal again 2 minutes later, this time following a knockdown from Tom Denton. The debutant hit the ball across goal but his effort was taken away by the feet of Benfield.

`The Terras were starting to feel their way into the game, and Josh McQuoid won a corner with his tenacity in getting Weymouth forward. The set-piece for Weymouth almost resulted in a goal, but Corey Jordan’s header looped just over the crossbar.

Moments later Shields made an impact for Weymouth, whipping a cross into the head of Cody Cooke. The former St. Mirren striker could only guide the ball wide of goal.

Benfield was looking sharp on his league debut for the Terras, filling in for Bycroft, who was out with a dislocated finger. The debutant made a double save in the 36th minute. Jonathon Smith’s long-range effort was palmed away by the Weymouth goalkeeper but only into the six-yard area. Asante was first to read the situation and fired it towards goal, however Benfield got onto the ball.

Weymouth took the lead in the 40th minute against the run of play. Some ball rolls from Jake McCarthy gave the midfielder space and then he played the ball off to Shields. The winger struck the ball first time with his right foot on the edge of the area with a finessed shot past a diving Kyle Letheren and into the goal.

The Terras had gained a lot of confidence from this however Chesterfield’s physicality was too much for Weymouth to handle. The Spireites snatched an equaliser deep into added time of the first half. Asante found space in the area following a knockdown from Denton. The new signing turned and unleashed his effort with his weak foot. The ball knocked against the post before going into the goal, leaving Benfield rooted.

Chesterfield took their confidence from their first goal into the second half. Jonathon Smith had the first effort of the second half as a long throw was brought down by Denton in the area. He played the ball off to Smith who struck on the volley. The effort went over the bar.

Asante then came close in the 58th minute to adding to his first goal. Harry Maguire’s brother, Laurence, was the person who knocked the ball down in the area. The ball was met by a leaping Asante who directed a volley towards Benfield’s right. The effort was somehow caught by the shot-stopper.

Two minutes later however, Benfield could do nothing as Chesterfield went ahead. Jordan Cropper bombed down the right-wing before crossing it into the impressive Denton who beat Corey Jordan to the ball. The target man powered the header into the net, with Benfield unable to stop the effort.

James Rowe had really made an effort with his side in terms of set pieces and Jonathon Smith had unleashed the same effort as he had earlier in the game, courtesy of a long throw-in from Cropper.

Substitute Boden had a chance for the Spireites, getting on the end of a low cross. His effort was wide of Benfield’s goal.

The away side just grew from strength to strength and their passing play saw them hold possession for 5 minutes without the Terras able to touch the ball. Tempers flared and Denton and

Brooks had an altercation which led to both players wrestling with each other, and both receiving just a yellow.

The game finished at 2-1. The Terras will be looking forward to welcoming 800 fans next week as well as Halifax Town FC at a later kick off on BT Sports.

Terras: Benfield, Camp, Jordan, McCarthy, McQuoid (Murray 69), Robinson, Brooks, Cooke (Mullings 69), Whelan (Thomson 79), Harfield, Shields.

Subs not used: Ngalo, Leslie-Smith.

Chesterfield: Letheren, Buchanan, Evans, Maguire, Rowley (Mandeville 57), Weston, Asante (Boden 64), Smith, Tom Denton, Hollis, Cropper (Yarney 78).

Subs not used: Tyler Denton, Addai.

Referee: Lee Collins