MIDDLEZOY ROVERS 3
P 12’ 26’ 74’
WEYMOUTH 2
Johnson P51’ Wilson 84’
South West Women’s League East Division (16/10/22)
Report: James Spring Photo: Ian Middlebrook
Second-half goals from Naomi Johnson and Charlie Wilson were not enough to prevent a patched-up Weymouth side from falling to a narrow defeat away at Middlezoy.
The Terras were still missing several players including Annie Redding, Kristina Manktelow, and Dani Ackerman, along with Sophie Bonfield and Ruby Clark who had impressed in recent weeks.
Player-manager Tasha Sibley returned to the bench, whilst Charlie Wilson, Rebecca McManus, Naomi Johnson, and Harriet Freeman all played despite carrying knocks.
The game got off to a scrappy start with the two midfields battling for supremacy.
Freeman had the game’s first shot from around 25 yards which was well-held by the goalkeeper.
On 10 minutes the hosts saw an effort from a corner blocked before Osment held onto the follow-up effort, but just 2 minutes later Middlezoy were awarded a spot kick after Barnard-Irons was adjudged to have fouled their striker. The spot kick was tucked into the bottom right corner to give Middlezoy the lead.
Weymouth looked for an immediate response, with a corner from Gracie Billings causing chaos in the six-yard box before eventually being scrambled to safety.
A few minutes Freeman surged forwards and fired wide from the edge of the D, before Osment made a good sharp save on 25 minutes.
Unfortunately, however, the home side would double their lead just a minute later – working it well down Weymouth’s right flank before the striker cut inside and fired in at the near post.
It could have been 3-0 straight from the restart as the Terras lost possession cheaply and the striker raced through and attempted to lob Osment, but it landed on the roof of the net.
Undeterred, the Terras continued to look for a way back into the game. Wilson had a shot fly just over the bar from the edge of the box, whilst Howard-Hachem and Billings both forced the goalkeeper into good saves, and Freeman headed over from a corner with the last action of the half, as the Terras went in 2 down at the break.
The Terras knew the next goal was vital and they came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half. From the kick-off, Tasha Sibley latched onto a long ball and hit a first-time shot from the edge of the box which bounced half a yard wide of the post, before Johnson met Billings’ cross and could only fire over the bar.
On 51 minutes though their pressure was finally rewarded as Howard-Hachem was dragged back in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Naiomi Johnson emphatically struck it into the top right corner to halve the deficit.
Weymouth’s tails were up and they could have levelled things up 2 minutes later when it opened up briefly for Johnson again, but her shot was blocked by a defender sliding in.
Middlezoy managed to weather the storm and the game became a frantic midfield battle again. The home side had a couple of shots wide of the mark whilst Weymouth got into good positions but the final ball was lacking.
Weymouth’s best chance of a leveller came on 73 minutes when Nia Bywater surged down the wing, got to the byline and dragged it back for Johnson whose shot was blocked. Howard-Hachem tried her luck on the rebound and her shot was also blocked before it fell to Gracie Billings who hit a powerful drive just wide.
And Weymouth were punished for their missed chances a minute later as Middlezoy broke with speed, and their striker feigned to shoot one way, before cutting inside and finding the top right corner to restore the 2 goal cushion.
Weymouth refused to lie down though, and with 5 minutes to go they were given a lifeline when the home goalkeeper fumbled Freeman’s free kick, and Charlie Wilson was in the right place at the right time to pick up the scraps and drill the ball into the bottom corner to set up a grandstand finish.
And the Terras came agonisingly close to equalising a minute later when Billings hit a powerful drive on the angle which had the goalkeeper flying across her goal, and no doubt breathing a sigh of relief as the ball flew barely inches wide of the far post.
It proved to be Weymouth’s last chance as the home side saw out the remaining minutes to pick up a hard-fought victory in an entertaining match.
A frustrating day for the Terras but a valiant effort with a very depleted side much like last week, and they really deserved to come away with something. But it wasn’t to be.
They’ll hope to get a few much-needed bodies back this week before a trip to Poole Town Ladies in the FA Cup next Sunday.
Back in Dorset, Weymouth’s Development team got their first point on the board in the Dorset League, as they fought back from 2-0 down to earn a draw against Longham Ladies thanks to second-half goals from Becca Hoare and Mia Simpson.
Terras: Osment, Taylor, Freeman, Potter, Bywater, Wilson, McManus, Johnson, Barnard-Irons, Howard-Hachem, Billings.
Subs: Sibley, Sewry
