WEYMOUTH 2
EXETER CITY 3
Report: Alfie Lumb
Two goals in the second half were not enough for the Terras as they lost 3-2 at home to Exeter City in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday night
Brian Stock made a total of 7 changes from their 5-2 away win against Bridgwater on Saturday afternoon, but stuck with Brandon Goodship up front.
The visitors were on the front foot early and made their bright start count before the 5th minute. Sam Nombe was played through on goal but Fitzsimons had come off his line quickly to deny the striker. The pressure hadn’t cleared and a ball crossed in from the left soon after was glanced in by Matt Jay.
The Grecians came close to doubling their advantage before the 10 minute mark. Nombe had created space for himself and attempted an effort just outside the area which had smacked the woodwork.
Weymouth were feeling their way into the game but conceded a second from a counter attack. A long pass from defence saw Jevani Brown blaze through the centre of the pitch to collect the ball and chip Fitzsimons.
The goalscorer injured himself minutes later and this allowed the Terras back into the game. Bradley Ash was looking sharp on the left, with his twists and turns winning Weymouth a free kick on the byline. Sean Shield’s delivered the cross from the set piece but Robinson’s head went over the bar.
Just 2 minutes later, Ash was at it again but on the right side this time. The winger cut in and struck the ball with his left foot but the chances were blocked until the ball came out to Robinson. The midfielder struck the ball from range but Scott Brown parried the chance in front of him before danger was eventually cleared.
After a period of battling in midfield, Weymouth had their next chance in the 32nd minute. Goodship was played through with an eye of the needle pass and is through on goal.
A goal was looking more and more likely for the Terras as they continued pressing on the left. Interplay between Leslie-Smith and Shields saw the former find the tricky winger with a driven pass into the area. Shields controlled the ball before setting a shot on his right foot which was blocked before danger was cleared.
Six minutes into the second half, the visitors snatched another goal. Jay picked up the ball on the left and slotted a pass to Nombe in the box. The striker opened his body up to curl the ball beyond the outstretched gloves of Fitzsimons.
However, the Terras finally made their pressure count in the 61st minute. Shields played a ball from the right which was touched beyond the last defender by substitute Rose. The striker carried the ball into the box and slotted it past Scott Brown to reduce the deficit.
Two minutes later, substitute goalkeeper Gerard Benfield was forced to make a save from a shot on the right byline. The ball was parried wide for a corner, which was dealt with.
The Grecian’s were trying to press for a fourth but Jay’s shot from 25 yards was well saved by the goalkeeper.
The Terras were trying to push for another, this time Bearwish was charging through the centre of the team, and with his options being cut off, the midfielder took on a tired shot, but it was straight into the gloves of Scott Brown.
Weymouth were wondering how they didn’t score a second in the 82nd minute. Substitute Josh McQuoid played a Trialist through. The Number 12 drilled a ball across the face of the box with Exeter defender, Rowe, making contact. The ball looked to go in but, luckily for Rowe was turned onto the bar before danger was cleared.
With just 2 minutes to go, Weymouth snatched another goal back. A succession of corners reaped its reward as Tyler Cordner headed the ball beyond Brown, who was at full stretch in a failed attempt to deny the chance.
Terras: Fitzsimons (Benfield 61), Cordner, Trialist (Morgan 46), Brooks (Harfield 61), Leslie-Smith, Robinson (Trialist 61), Bearwish, Trialist (McQuoid 46), Shields (Murray 61), Ash (Trialist 67), Goodship (Rose 46).
Exeter: S Brown, Key (Caprice 73), Sweeney (Veale 80), Ray (Dyer 67), Hartridge, Sparkes (Rowe 73), Atangana (Kite 52), Collins, J Brown (Dodd 34), Jay (Diabate 80), Nombe (Hanson 67).
Sub not used: Arthur