Duncan Gardner explores the history of tonight’s fixture between the Terras and the Beavers.
Just the four games in our history against The Beavers with all fixtures in two Conference South seasons – one on the way down the pyramid in 2009/10 and more recently as we made an ascendance up the ladder a decade later in 2019/20. The Terras have three victories and just the one loss from that quartet of games.
Our first ever meeting in October 2009 was a forgettable affair for the Terras as we succumbed to a 0-3 loss in the capital under Matty Hale. Fast forward six months and with new manager Andy Harris in place, we did enjoy a rare successful day in that season as J McGuiness slotted home the only goal of the game from a Simon Radcliffe assist to ensure all three points stayed in Dorset.
Ten years later and we faced The Beaveree-ground-based-outfit once more at the same level. Weymouth had spent the entire interim at the step below in the Southern League and although our ampersand opponents also had done the same, their drop down to the regional leagues had just been for four seasons instead of our nine campaigns. The initial clash that season was in November under Mark Molesley at the Bob Lucas. It was a 2-1 win to the Terras but anyone unfortunate enough to require the call of nature on the 52nd minute may have missed all three goals, as just eight minutes later, the scoring for the day was complete – McQuoid and Thomson scoring within two minutes of each other before the visitors managed a consolation goal.
At the return fixture in London on Valentine’s weekend Weymouth were guilty of lavishing too many gifts on the hosts as The Terras found themselves 0-2 down at half-time. But as bored partners wishing they were on a more romantic afternoon, Hampton & Richmond decided to more than reciprocate Weymouth’s kindness after the break as a Brett Williams and a Calvin Brooks brace completed the turnaround to stun the home faithful! It remains the only time we have come back to win in normal time from two goals down in nearly 20 years covering 250 games.
Some notable names that have played for both clubs include – Zaid Al Hussaini, Myles Anderson, Mark Boyce, Julian Charles, Shamir Mullings, Raphael Nade. There are no known players in current matchday squads who have played for both side but their new manager Mel Gwinnett was a Terras regular goal in 1989-90 playing over 60 times in goal. This is his first full managerial appointment having cut his teeth as an assistant and goalkeeping coach at several clubs before now.
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