ST ALBANS CITY 0
WEYMOUTH 3
TWO NEWLY-APPOINTED managers faced each other at Clarence Park and it was Steve Johnson’s well-drilled Weymouth who took all three points from Stuart Cash’s City side.
In the first minute of the game, the Saints’ Lee Clarke slipped his marker and forced a sharp save from Jason Matthews.
The Terras’ response was immediate but Matt Bound could only head an inch-perfect cross just wide.
Moments later the dangerous Lee Phillips beat the offside trap only to be denied by a fine last-ditch tackle by Miguel De Souza.
As the game settled, a pattern began to emerge with the visitors playing the more controlled football and the home side forced to rely upon quick counter attacks.
Weymouth took the lead on 33 minutes when Adam Wilde intercepted an attempted clearance 35 yards from goal and took the ball from the edge of the area before coolly picking his spot with a sharp drive.
City enjoyed their best spell of the match laying siege to the Terras goal for the final ten minutes of the half.
The defence was frantic and shots from Adam Parker, De Souza and Hann were blocked while Tom Beech forced a fine full length save from Matthews, but the Weymouth goal led a charmed life.
The visitors extended their lead on 54 minutes. Quick interplay just inside the City half released Phillips on the left and his cross was finished by Paul Buckle.
City pressed and forced a number of corners during the second period but were unable to breach the City defence which were assisted by the Woodwork on two occasions and a sharp save from Matthews to deny Clarke once again.
Weymouth put the result beyond all doubt on 76 minutes when Phillips, again combining well with Adam Wilde scored a clinical goal from close range to put the icing on what was an excellent start for Steve Johnson.
Weymouth: Matthews, Tully, Waterman, Bunce, Bound, Wilde, Buckle, Hutchinson, Barlow, Jackson, Phillips.
Subs on: S Browne, Yetton, Wilkinson.
Subs not used: Gibbs, Ramos.