The Terras FA Cup campaign ends early following a shock loss against Tadley Calleva
Tadley Calleva 4 – 2 Weymouth
Weymouth entered their FA Cup First Qualifying Round clash against Tadley Calleva with hopes of their luck turning after a week of change within the club. The Romans set the pace early on and the Terras responded well with excellent goals from Bearwish and Hewlett. But in a game that swung back and forth, Tadley recorded a 4–2 victory over the Terras, scoring twice in the closing stages.
FIRST HALF
The Terras started the match with a 4-3-3 formation, bringing in a defensive line of Hanger, McNearey, Gyebi and Odiaka. The midfield was supported by McCarthy, Bearwish and Robinson with Burrow, Reid and Goodship upfront.
The match began with Tadley kicking off, and it was a dramatic start when Reid’s arm hit Tadley’s player Sheldon Wright’s face, causing a foul inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot and Kieran Rodgers stepped up and confidently placed the ball past Clark, giving Tadley a 1–0 lead in the 6th minute of the game.
Moments later, Burrows responded with a chance on goal, but the shot went wide of the post, deflecting over. As the match progressed, Weymouth began to hold more possession, moving the ball across midfield. In the 12th minute, Tadley had an opportunity to double their lead with a good cross into the box, but the ball was neatly gathered up by Clark.
Weymouth earned a potentially threatening free kick in the 14th minute, positioned close to the corner after Burrows was fouled. McCarthy executed the attempt with his right foot at a low trajectory, but the shot was deflected by a Tadley player, resulting in a Weymouth corner taken by Goodship. Despite a well-placed delivery, the opportunity was cleared by a defensive header, and Weymouth remained unable to equalise.
In the 20th minute, Clark did well to stop a second goal from the Romans, stopping the ball with his feet, showing some excellent goalkeeping. Tadley took a corner kick that went deep but it was not converted into a goal.
After Goodship was fouled, Weymouth capitalized on a free kick. Although Tadley cleared initially, Robinson set up captain Tom Bearwish to score from 20 yards and equalize at 1–1 in the 24th minute.
The momentum swung back and forth as the first half continued and in the 33rd minute Tadley had a dangerous free kick of their own, but the ball was cleared away and eventually going off side, the score remaining level.
It was a corner for Tadley that wasn’t cleared away by the Terras in the 37th minute that gave Kieran Rodgers the opportunity for a brace, restoring the Roman’s lead. As the game resumed, Weymouth responded well when Goodship had a clear shot on goal that hit the side netting, showing a close opportunity to quickly level.
A late foul on Reid just prior to stoppage time presented an additional chance to equalise, but the Terras concluded the first half trailing Tadley by a score of 2–1.
SECOND HALF
The Terras commenced the second half with both teams retaining their original lineups. Tadley produced two early attempts on goal, both of which were nicely saved by Clark. The Romans came out putting pressure on the Terras, taking advantage of the Weymouth defensive line when opportunities arose.
The Terras began to press higher up the pitch, and a ball in from Goodship to Bearwish almost took the Terras level with a header in the 54th minute, but it was well saved by the Romans’ goalkeeper.
The Terras almost equalised with a chance on goal by Burrows, but it was stopped by the fingertips of Tadley’s goalkeeper.
Around the 60th minute there was a pause in play whilst a player received treatment and Tadley made two changes, taking off goal scorer Rogers.
As play resumed, Tadley gained a corner following a deflection, but it was successfully cleared away by Weymouth giving a goal kick to the Terras.
In the 67th minute, the Terras made a substitution, taking off Odiaka, making way for Luke Cook. This was shortly followed in the 71st minute when Burrows made way for Tom Hewlett.
Tadley continued to attack, however, at this stage, the tie appeared balanced, with both sides creating openings. Weymouth had an opportunity following a foul and yellow card to Tadley in the 73rd minute with a free kick in towards the area, and a header by McNearney was a good attempt on goal.
In the 76th minute, Tom Hewlett equalised the score with a well-executed shot placed firmly into the bottom left corner, subsequently revitalising the Terras prospects of a win.
With the score now 2-2, Tadley continued to press and find opportunities, making another change bringing on 17-year-old Rowan in the 77th minute.
In the 79th minute, Cook took a chance with a shot that deflected off a Tadley player, awarding Weymouth a corner that was taken by Goodship. There was no conversation into a goal, and a foul led to a Tadley goal kick.
In the 81st minute, the Romans almost took the lead again with a shot on goal and in the 83rd minute, Tadley made two further changes, bringing on Costello and Neal onto the pitch. In the 85th minute, Cook took a chance on goal but missed the opportunity despite Reid being open for a clear shot on goal.
In the 87th minute, an error by the goalkeeper allowed Tadley’s Alex Miller to pressure Clark, who delayed clearing the ball. Miller took a shot on goal, putting his team ahead 3–2.
Tadley quickly had a further opportunity on goal, but Weymouth pushed bodies forward in search of another equaliser. In the 90th minute, Bearwish almost found that opportunity from a corner and a close-range shot.
As the match progressed into stoppage time, both sides maintained their efforts; however, a corner kick awarded to Tadley proved decisive for the Terras. The ball was played short, and a defensive lapse in the 94th minute allowed Scott Costello to capitalize, extending the lead during the closing moments. Despite continued play from the Terras, the Romans ultimately secured a 4–2 victory.
In their first-ever meeting, Tadley Calleva beat the Terras to reach the Second Qualifying Round for the first time in their history, resulting in an early exit for the Terras.
Match Report By Jayne Degiorgio
