Our era under Warren Feeney remains unbeaten so far following an impressive 2-2 draw at home to table-toppers Torquay United on Boxing Day at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
The crucial point was earned thanks to a Brandon Goodship double, the two goals earning him a place in our 100-club, making him the first to do so in a Weymouth shirt for the first time since David Laws in 1998.
Both of Goody’s goals came in the second half, the first just five minutes after half time, the earliest we’d managed to score at home in the league this season by 20 minutes.
It was a testament of our character, particularly after Will Jenkins-Davies’ goal seconds before half-time could have seen the match end differently.
Whilst we remain bottom of the National League South table, St Albans City’s suspended match on the same day ensures that we are in that position on goal difference only.
Still, our quest to exit the drop zone remains tough, though Welling United’s loss at home to Chelmsford City now puts us just eight points off safety with a game in hand.
Paul Wotton’s side could have opened the scoring inside just two minutes when ex-Terra Omar Mussa got a shot underway, had our defence not managed to hook the ball clear.
Chances during the opening quarter were few and far between, but the closest one in this period fell our way just before the 20-minute mark when Christie Ward fired a cross from the right-hand side towards the head of Charlie Rowan, whose sight at goal was kept out by the feet of shot-stopper James Hamon.
The game remained cagey for much of the half, although a succession of our shots were blocked by a resolute United defence three minutes before stoppage time.
Leo Hamblin saw a delivery headed away just a minute later, as the first half looked likely to end goalless.
But, in the last minute of the awarded three that were added on by the fourth official, Oscar Threlkeld sent a long ball towards Jenkins-Davies, who gave his side the lead from a tight angle inside the box.
The Wales under-18 international’s 5th league goal in as many games undid our hard work in the first half, as we now headed down the tunnel with a sudden mountain to climb.
But with a player like Goody at our disposal, we only need one chance…
That was what we got just five minutes into the second half, when Goody finished off a counter-attack and slid the ball underneath Hamon to draw us level.
Our goal machine took his tally to 99, but more importantly we were now back in the game.
But, as we’ve seen so many times this season in this league, the opposition can always strike back in a flash.
Seven minutes after Goody’s goal saw Jordan Young loop a free-kick delivery towards ex-Terra Cody Cooke, who headed beyond Will Buse to score his second in as many games and restore United’s lead.
After our initial hard work saw us rescue ourselves from being a goal behind, we now had to do the same once again with 33 minutes of regular time remaining.
Though it could have been an even harder task for us just five minutes later, when Yeovil Town-loanee Jordan Thomas’ cross was deflected onto the bar.
Then, just before the 70-minute mark, midfielder Daniel Hayfield attempted an ambitious effort from the halfway-line.
Though it may usually be a difficult place to score from, the strike was accurate enough to force Busey to tip over the bar.
10 minutes later saw the visitors come close once again, when goalscorer Jenkins-Davies fired at Busey from a tight angle once again.
Thankfully, though, our reliable shot-stopper kept his shot away from his goal, which saw the Welshman ruled out for offside shortly afterwards.
By now the game had reached 80 minutes, as time was running out for us to equalise.
But just two minutes on saw substitute Brooklyn Genesini fire in a cross from the right-hand side, which saw fellow-sub Andy Robinson delicately flick the ball into Goody’s path.
With the opportunity to score his 100th goal for the club and draw us level, there was going to be no other outcome as the scoreline was now 2-2 with less than 10 minutes of regular time remaining.
Unsurprisingly, we smartly chose to run down the clock, although Brooklyn came close right before stoppage time, firing just wide of the near-post.
But a draw versus title-challengers nevertheless was a positive step in the right direction as our unbeaten start under the Feeney regime continues…
