Terras return to winning ways to ease relegation fears
Summary:
Weymouth bounced back from last week’s defeat to record their fourth win in five league games and move five points clear of the relegation zone. An early goal from Brooks on his 400th appearance set the Terras on their way, and Bearwish doubled the lead just before the half hour mark. Weymouth looked comfortable in the second half until Bracknell pulled a goal back with less than two minutes remaining. Despite a nervy finish, the Terras held on through six minutes of added time to secure three vital points.
Match Report:
With confidence high in the squad, despite last week’s defeat to Sholing, Jamie Wells again made just a single change to the starting lineup. With Reid being rested for Monday, Goodship moved up front and Bearwish returned to the team in the attacking midfield role.
The game marked Calvin Brooks 400th appearance for the Terras, and it couldn’t have got off to a better start for him – putting his team in front within two minutes of the kick-off. Burrows delivered a free kick in from the left wing, the ball looped up off a defender’s head and Brooks reacted first to poke the ball past former Terra Oualah in the Bracknell goal.
Weymouth were clearly the better of the two sides as the game progressed, carving out a succession of chances. Burrows fired over the bar, Brooks had an effort blocked by a defender and Swann shot just wide. Before 30 minutes were up, Bearwish received the ball from Brooks on the right, drove into the penalty area and tucked a neat finish past Oualah to double the Terras’ lead.
There were more chances for Weymouth. Goodship at full stretch couldn’t test Oualah, but Swann forced a good save shortly afterwards and pushed another effort just wide before half-time.
The second half saw fewer chances, as Weymouth largely controlled the game. Bearwish brought a great save from Oualah and Pollock saw his shot cleared off the line. But as the game moved towards 90 minutes, Weymouth gave away a free kick 25 yards out which McGregor struck against the post, and Marinescu reacted first to tuck away the rebound.
Suddenly a comfortable victory looked in the balance, as Bracknell pushed for a late equaliser, but Weymouth managed to hold firm through six minutes of added time and celebrated an important win as they look to stave off relegation.
Reaction:
Speaking to Air Dorset after the game, Jamie Wells was “really impressed with the performance today from the lads”. He thought “we were sensational first half”, adding “second half we did well, did what we needed to do … but then we give away a silly free kick in the 88th minute, switched off for a moment … and the pressure was on”.
This victory gives Weymouth some welcome breathing space in the relegation battle, opening up a five point gap to the drop zone with just four games to go. Next up is a massive local derby, as Dorchester visit the Bob Lucas Stadium on Easter Monday in dire need of points as they also look to escape relegation.
Lineups:
Terras: Evans; Betts, Brooks, Pollock, Hutchinson; Robinson, Neale (Moss, 89); Swann (Hanger, 81), Bearwish, Burrows (Genesini, 69); Goodship
Subs not used: Stavrianos
Goals: Brooks (2), Bearwish (29)
Robins: Oualah; George (Marinescu, 79), Harris, Propser, Murphy, Mazzone (Haile, 60), Esprit (Alfa, 60), McGregor, Gregory (Johnson-Schuster, 46), Kennedy, McDowell
Subs not used: Miles
Goal: Marinescu (88)
Attendance: 510
Media:
Watch Jamie Wells’ post-match interview here:
Scroll through the match photos here: 3-Apr-2026 Bracknell Town vs Weymouth | Flickr
Check out a matchday vlog from Mattitude here: Too Little Too LATE On Good Friday! | Weymouth (H)
Match Report by Ian Middlebrook
