Weymouth were stunned 3-1 on Saturday afternoon as they hosted Tonbridge Angels at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
The Terras had started the game brightly, and fashioned a chance within the opening minutes. Tom Blair had played a 1-2 pass with Keelan O’Connell. Blair cut in and managed a shot from range but the ball went over the bar.
An early corner from Tonbridge nearly caught the Terras by surprise. Lewis Gard whipped in the cross to the far post which was nodded then flicked goal bound by an attacking player before the chance was cleared.
The visitors were looking strong from set pieces, and got the opener in the 12th minute. Gard’s corner was again put to the back post, this time their set piece routine came off, with Jamie Fielding nodding the ball down to Femi Akinwade who dispatched the shot with ease.
Weymouth’s next chance came in the 20th minute. Slick passing plays between Alexander McBurnie and O’Connell saw the ball bounce favourably into the feet of Bradley Ash, who turned before taking a low shot which forced Jonathan Henly into a save.
The Terras were piling the pressure on the visitors which saw right back Nathan Carlyle find enough space to dig out a shot from range, but the ball sailed wide.
The visitors doubled the lead against the run of play in the 33rd minute, from another set piece. A long ball was sent into the area and chested down for centre back Sonny Miles, who took on an unstoppable volley with his right boot outside the area.
Tonbridge were close to a third before half time from a free kick. Harry Kyprianou saw yellow for a strong challenge on TQ Addy yards outside the area. Fielding took the set piece on the far side, with his right foot. The ball was curling towards the top corner before White parried the ball away to his left.
Weymouth players and fans alike thought they were due a penalty on the brink of half time when Bradley Ash looked to be fouled in the penalty area, however referee Lewis Sandoe waved play on.
The Terras ate into their deficit just 3 minutes into the second half. A lost ball was chased down well by Bradley Ash on the far side. The forward shook off the challenge of the defender before drilling in a ball to the back post. A Tonbridge player put a foot in to block the ball but O’Connell was there to put the shot away.
Weymouth were building momentum, and were close to an equaliser in the 55th minute. Tom Blair’s free kick was headed towards goal by Alexander McBurnie. The downward header was parried away by Henly, however the move was offside.
The confidence in the side was growing, evident as Tom Bearwish backheeled the ball into the path of Cameron Murray. The veteran Terras midfielder found O’Connell who’s curling effort was just over the bar.
The Terras were building patiently for the chance to open up the defence, and had another chance in the 74th minute. Tom Bearwish had teed up a shot for McBurnie who drilled the ball low but straight into the gloves of the keeper.
The visitors added insult to injury in the 85th minute. McBurnie lost possession in midfield to Joseph Turner, who played the ball into TQ Addy. The tricky winger cut in before shooting with his left, beating White in goal.
Four minutes of added time were given, but Tonbridge had shut up shop to deny the Terras a late comeback.
