Weymouth have suffered their first league defeat in six games as Yeovil Town collected the points on Tuesday night at Huish Park.
Bobby Wilkinson’s side had enjoyed a five-game unbeaten run in the National League South, the most recent being a 3-1 win over Eastbourne Borough.
This streak, however, would end on a cold and damp evening where both sides would have their chances at various points throughout the match.
Although in front of a grating atmosphere of 6,289 supporters, a National League South record, the hosts appeared to benefit from the lively home crowd.
After The Glovers took the lead through Jordan Young’s free-kick in the eighth minute, it was always going to be difficult for The Terras to stage a comeback and salvage three points.
Weymouth would find it a challenge to impose their authority in the first half, whilst Yeovil continued to enjoy the more clear-cut opportunities.
It would not be until after the break where Wilkinson’s team would pose as a bigger threat, following Ben Thomson and Keelan O’Connell’s introduction early in the second half.
Thomson particularly proved a handful for The Glovers’ defence, putting a golden opportunity on a plate for Dan Roberts, who was unable to convert at the back post from close-range.
But despite The Terras’ second-half threat, Yeovil would add a second in the final minute of stoppage time when Jake Hyde’s shot took a deflection past youngster Hugo Fisher, making the score 2-0 right before the final whistle.
In perhaps the cruellest reminder of Weymouth’s victory last Saturday, they had been chasing a one-goal deficit, only for a side to double their lead with their final kick of the game.
GLOVERS’ GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES
The game itself started cagey, with neither team appearing to hold onto the ball for a prolonged period.
This was perhaps expected due to the ferocity of both sets of supporters, who were so loud that The Terras’ radio commentary was at times unable to be heard.
The cautious opening minutes would change after eight minutes however, after Young’s curling free-kick was able to travel past all players into the bottom right corner.
After Yeovil’s opener came a succession of chances for the hosts, the next also coming from a set piece, where Rhys Murphy had his header saved following a Josh Owers delivery.
From then on The Glovers continued to pose a threat.
It would be Jordan Stevens who had the opportunity to double his side’s lead, firing his effort wide after a Young cut back, before Michael Smith presented him with a similar opening.
Frank Nouble would also have a couple cracks at goal, one of which was bravely blocked by Teddy Howe just after the half-hour mark.
The Terras were able to create one chance before the end of the half, when Roberts attempted a speculative volley, which landed just wide.
However, as the players trudged down the tunnel, the first half suggested that the hosts would be entering the break the happier of the two sides.
TERRAS’ TACTICAL TWEAKS
It would be Weymouth with the first chance of the second half, with Roberts again being presented with the ball.
However, the in-form forward fired his long-range effort straight towards the throat of Joe Day.
Shortly afterwards, Ben Thomson and Keelan O’Connell would be introduced for Joel Rollinson and Elliot Bolton respectively.
For the most part, the changes appeared to work.
Thomson particularly was a nuisance for the Yeovil defence, and may have earned his side an equaliser just before the hour mark had it not been for Jake Wannell blocking his effort from 20 yards out.
It would be the substitute that would create perhaps Weymouth’s best chance all game, launching a cross towards Roberts, who only needed to poke the ball in from a couple yards out.
However, last weekend’s two-assist man could only put the ball wide of the back post.
The Terras would again find themselves close three minutes later, 15 minutes before the end, Roberts this time being the creator, with top-scorer Ezio Touray looking to direct the ball towards goal.
It wasn’t to be, however, with Touray being unable to get enough contact on the delivery.
This would ultimately be the final big chance for Wilkinson’s side, as Hyde was inside the box in the final minute of stoppage time.
The forward’s effort took a deflection and wrongfooted Fisher, making it 2-0 to The Glovers right before the final whistle.
Wilkinson said after the final whistle that his side were “very unlucky” not to take home three points with the chances his side had.
His team have the chance to return to winning ways away to Havant and Waterlooville this Saturday (15.00 BST).
Match report by Jack Webb
