Resolute Terras shock high-flying Hartlepool

WEYMOUTH 1

McQuoid 41

Weymouth were back to winning ways, with Josh McQuoid scoring the only goal, against the National League in-form team Hartlepool United at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Saturday.

Brian Stock had made 4 changes from Saturdays defeat to Darlington last Saturday. Ethan Ross came in for Benfield in goal. Jake McCarthy, back from suspension, replaced Josh Wakefield. New signings Joan Luque and Andy Dallas started for Murray and Cooke.

Hartlepool had a slight chance in the fifth minute. In form striker Luke Armstrong, on loan from Salford City, was played through inside of the six yard area. His attempt to flick the ball in with his first touch was parried away by the feet of Ethan Ross.

Terras goalkeeper Ethan Ross was called into make a double save in the 13th minute. After parrying the first away, the ball was put into the box again. Hartlepool Centre back Ryan Johnson stayed up and directed a header towards goal. The header, aimed downwards, looked goal bound if not for the outstretching glove of Ross. Brooks then cleared away the danger.

Weymouth had their first chance on goal in the 17th minute. Sean Shields delivered the ball in from a free kick. Jake McCarthy jumped high to meet the ball but it looped over Ben Killip’s cross bar.

Dominic Revan was amongst the action for the Terras. The on loan Aston Villa defender provided a fantastic last minute challenge to cut out a shot from Rhys Oates.

Weymouth took the lead 5 minutes before the half time break from a set piece. Debutant Andy Dallas was brought down just outside the area by Timi Odusina. Ollie Harfield delivered the cross with his left foot towards Ben Killip’s near post with Josh McQuoid heading it into the corner of the net, with the goalkeeper unmoved.

Hartlepool had the first chance of the second half. The away side had won a corner in the 51st minute and kept the ball alive well. The ball was nodded onto Gavan Holohan from Ryan Johnson. The midfielder provided an acrobatic strike, however the ball had hit Ross’ side netting.

Just a few minutes later the monkey hangers had another chance. Oates had been given the ball and found space outside the area. The number 11 had turned inside the area and unleashed a shot with his left foot across goal but the ball had dragged well wide of Ross’ posts.

Pools manager Dave Challinor made a triple substitution on the 60th minute, which changed the game. David Ferguson played a corner in in the 65th minute. Gavan Holohan headed it towards substitute Mason Bloomfield who headed it on target, but again Ethan Ross stretched his palm out to deny the goal.
One of the away sides substitutes was then shown a red card, 9 minutes after coming on. Luke Molyneux was shown a straight red card by referee Matthew Russell following a high boot on Cameron Murray.

Andy Dallas looked sharp and almost scored in the second minute of added time. The new signing took the ball and ran into Hartlepools area, neglecting the corner flag. He tricked defender Johnson to allow himself to go one on one with Ben Killip. The goalkeeper rushed off of his line to tackle Dallas just as the striker was about to unleash a shot with his left boot.

Hartlepool had a final chance in the 4th added minute of the 5 allowed. The team pushed into Ross’ box and substitute Luke Willams fired a deflected shot at goal. Ross, who had already dived to make the save, parried the ball away with his midriff to deny a last minute equaliser.

The full time whistle blew soon after, with the Terras holding out for a 1-0 win. Their first victory in the league since their 2-1 victory against Stockport County on Halloween.

Terras: Ross, Ngalo, McCarthy, McQuoid (Robinson 78), Brooks, Dallas, Mensah, Revan, Harfield, Luque (Murray 66), Shields. Subs not used: Benfield, Camp, Saydee.

Hartlepool: Killip, Sterry, Ferguson, Johnson, Cass, Odusina (Bloomfield 60), Shelton (Molyneux 60), Featherstone, Holohan, Oates (Williams 61), Armstrong. Subs not used: Crawford, Grey.

Referee: Matthew Russell