By Ted Slocombe
Weymouth secured their first win of the season away to Winchester City in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round, as new boss Bobby Wilkinson enjoyed an instant impact from the dugout.
The Terras made four changes to the starting lineup as Ahkeem Rose made his first appearance of the season, with Dan Gifford dropped to the bench. Jack Seddon made his first start of the season, whilst Harry Kyprianou and Brad Ash also returned to the starting lineup, with Luke Nippard and Cameron Murray on the bench. There was no place for Noa Boutin in the squad.
The visitors started brightly as a kick-off routine found Weymouth on the edge of the penalty area within seconds, only for Tom Bearwish to shoot wide of the target. Moments later, a cross from the left flank found the head of Ash, who’s looping headed effort narrowly went over the bar.
But with just 7 minutes on the clock, Weymouth took the lead, as some good play on the edge of the area involving Bearwish and Keelan O’Connell lead to Kyprianou finding space on the left of the penalty area, with O’Connell feeding through a ball to the full back, who’s deflected shot lifted over the head of keeper Charlie Philpott and into the back of the net.
Weymouth were then awarded a penalty on 15 minutes, which Brad Ash converted into the bottom left corner to double the Terras’ advantage.
Just 3 minutes later, the referee awarded another spot kick, which this time Ahkeem Rose emphatically struck into the top left corner, to make it 0-3. Weymouth with a commanding advantage in the opening 20 minutes of the game.
On 25 minutes, the hosts were awarded a free kick halfway inside their attacking half towards the left flank. This being a rare opportunity in the half to test keeper Ryan Sandford.
Skipper Jamie Barron delivered a fantastic ball towards the far post and Silvano Obeng was able to stab home from close range, to pull a goal back for Winchester City.
Weymouth almost had a fourth before half time as Brad Ash ran through behind the defence and slotted past Philpott, only to be chalked off for offside.
Just before half-time there was another chance for Weymouth’s number 11, as a ball over the top into the penalty area was brought down beautifully by Ash, only for his shot on his second touch to pull just wide of the near post. Weymouth went into the break still with a healthy advantage.
A change at the break for Weymouth saw Dan Gifford replace Ahkeem Rose as, within a minute, skipper Xander McBurnie had the first opportunity of the second half with his shot flying over the crossbar.
On 54 minutes, Keelan O’Connell fed through Dan Gifford for potentially his first shot of the game, only for the defender to snuff out the opportunity, as Gifford cut in on his left foot inside the penalty area.
There was a moment of confusion on the hour mark, as substitute Claudio Herbert fired a long range shot from the left flank, only for keeper Ryan Sandford to spill and clutch it on the line.
There were appeals for the goal to be given, with accusations of the ball crossing the line, but without any indication of a decision, the referee picked up the ball and walked over to the stricken Kyprianou who stayed down following an earlier challenge.
He then walked back over and dropped the ball for Sandford to play on, baffling fans, players and the bench.
There was a heated moment on the 75th minute as O’Connell was fouled over by the Winchester dugout, which prompted a brawl on the touchline.
