Defiant Weymouth edged by Torquay

WEYMOUTH 3

Cooke 31, Murray 49, McQuoid 62 pen

TORQUAY UNITED 4

Hall 15, Umerah 25, Lemane 46, Lemonheigh-Evans 88

Report: Alfie Lumb

Despite bringing the game back from 3-1 down to 3-3, the Terras lost their last home game of 2020 to league leaders Torquay United.

Brian Stock made four changes from Boxing Day’s 0-0 draw away at Eastleigh. Josh Wakefield,  Jack Dickson, Cam Murray and Christian Saydee came in to the team for Corey Jordan, Alefe Santos, Jack Hoey and Sean Shields.

Torquay blazed out of the gates with Josh Umerah having the first effort. The number 35 stormed through the Terras defence but fired the ball over the bar from the left side of the box.

The Terras had a breakaway chance in the the 14th minute. Josh McQuoid drove through the away side and laid the ball off to Christian Saydee to his right. The Bournemouth loanee took a heavy touch and could not control the ball well enough to make an effort, instead goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald collected the ball.

Just a minute later Torquay’s constant pressure had paid dividend, opening the days scoring. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans chipped a cross towards Asa Hall who guided the ball beyond Jack Bycroft.

Torquay doubled their lead in the 24th minute. Lemonheigh-Evans was involved again. The midfielder played a one-two with Josh Umerah. Umerah then had the chance to turn and shoot with his right foot. The slow effort was curved just around Bycroft’s gloves to nestle into the net.

Weymouth were back into the game seven minutes later. Jake McCarthy played a ball to Ollie Harfield on the left wing. The full back played an early cross into the area. The ball went beyond MacDonald who had come to claim. The goalkeeper missed a chance to catch the ball and it fell to Cody Cooke at the back post who volleyed it into an empty net.

Lemonheigh-Evans continued to shine for the visitors. This time playing a square ball to Umerah. The striker hit the ball first time but it was directed right at Bycroft.

Torquay started the second half much the same way as they had ended the first. Jack Dickson was dispossessed inside the Terras half and was punished dearly. Ben Whitfield drilled in a low cross to Aaron Nemane. The former Rangers man had time to pick out a shot, placing it past Bycroft.

The game turned on its head again 3 minutes later. Cameron Murray’s determination saw the midfielder find his way into the box. His first effort was blocked by a Torquay defender however the ball fell to him again. He poked the ball through at a tight angle to grab Weymouth’s second of the day.

Jordan Ngalo lost possession and Torquay’s pace on the counter attack almost saw another goal go in for the league leaders. Whitfield’s wily, pacy run saw him through on goal. The midfielder had lined up a shot at Bycrofts near post however the goalkeeper had parried the shot away well with his left leg.

Substitute Alefe Santos found Cody Cooke with a fantastic ball in the 60th minute. The striker was pushed to ground by a rushing centre back ands a penalty was awarded. Josh McQuoid stepped up to take it and smashed it to the top right of MacDonalds goal. This, the captains 5th goal in as many home games. The score was level at 3-3.

Weymouth were looking the better side. Saydee’s neat footwork allowed the striker to play the ball to Josh Wakefield. The midfielder took the shot on first time but the ball cleared the bar.

The Terras again were making waves in attack. Saydee’s effort with his right foot curved just over the bar.

For all of Weymouth’s determination and effort they conceded in the 87th minute. Lemonheigh-Evans tapped the ball in yards away into an open goal. Fans and players alike were appealing to the officials for an offside call due to the placement of Lemonheigh-Evans.

Four minutes of added time was not enough for the Terras to find another equaliser. Bycroft came up for a late corner but could not make contact. The referee blew the whistle soon after the corner was taken. It finished 4-3.

Terras: Bycroft, Wakefield, Ngalo, McCarthy, McQuoid, Dickson (Santos 50), Brooks, Cooke, Murray, Harfield, Saydee.

Subs not used: Benfield, Olumuyiwa, Al-Hussaini, Hoey.

Torquay: MacDonald, Cameron, Kerr, Lemonheigh-Evans, Hall, Randall, Sherring, Moxey (Warren 80), Nemane, Whitfield (Buse 90), Umerah (Andrews 80).

Subs not used: Price, Covolan

Attendance: 575

Referee: James Durkin