Recap

Brett Solkhon’s double downs Weymouth

A BRACE from Brett Solkhon saw Weymouth slip to a 2-0 defeat at play-off rivals Kettering Town in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.

The result leaves the Terras three points behind the Poppies in third with two games to play, while Kettering have a game in hand on Weymouth.

As a result Weymouth face a battle to be at home for their play-off semi-final on Wednesday, May 2, with the teams that finish second and third given home advantage for the play-off semi-final.

Weymouth made two changes as Josh Wakefield and Harry Baker came in for Abdulai Baggie and Brandon Goodship, who both dropped to the bench.

Kettering started on the attack early as a shot from Michael Richens came in for Kettering after a long throw from Liam Bateman to Matthew Stevens was headed to Richens, but his effort was blocked and landed in the grateful arms of Weymouth goalkeeper Will Dennis.

Other than that it was a quiet start to the match which could prove to be a dress rehearsal for the play-off semi-final.

However, 11 minutes in the game sparked to life as Thiago Caze da Silva gave away a penalty by bringing down Stevens, which Solkhon tucked away, with Caze da Silva receiving a yellow card.

Four minutes later Bateman won a corner which Lindon Meikle took that forced the Terras to clear away.

After 20 minutes Rhys Hoenes earned his side another chance by breaking forward and beating the Weymouth defence, earning his side a corner, which Stephane Zubar cleared to safety.

Callum Buckley was yellow carded for bringing down Hoenes who had broken through and from the free-kick Dennis made a good save from Gary Mulligan.

But in the 26th minute Kettering scored again as Hoenes got down the left and the Weymouth defence could not shepherd the ball away as Solkhon lashed in his second.

In response, a ball forward for the Terras then saw Mulligan head away, but it fell as far as Wakefield who fired the ball wide.

Calvin Brooks then did well in the 38th minute as a low cross forced Kettering goalkeeper Paul White to collect at the second time of asking.

The first half came to a close with Weymouth playing positively but unable to craft clear cut chances to get back into the match.

After the restart, Hoenes saw a cross cleared away on 48 minutes in what was a slow start to the half, but a minute later Jake McCarthy headed over the bar for Weymouth.

Brooks then went on a fantastic run down the right-hand side but saw his low shot saved by White in the Poppies’ goal.

Kettering were putting the pressure on however, as a free-kick from Stevens saw Mulligan head back across goal, but the ball was cleared away.

Meikle then did well to win the ball back for Ketttering and play in Aaron O’Connor but Weymouth moved the ball away from him before he could take his shot.

O’Connor then had another effort but he slipped when taking it, resulting in a tame strike that headed straight at Dennis in the Terras’ goal.

Weymouth soon had a couple of efforts on the Kettering goal, with Ben Thomson crossing in towards Harry Baker who headed straight at White after 63 minutes.

Meikle then crossed in another free-kick and Stevens went close as he put a headed attempt just wide.

The Terras then had a good move forward but the resulting shot went wide.

Brooks then went very close to earning Weymouth a foothold in the match but his shot went frustratingly wide with White beaten.

Weymouth had a good chance 80 minutes in after an Orrin Pendley foul earned them a free-kick but Meikle was on hand to head away the well-struck effort.

Weymouth were putting in a good attacking display late on as they were forcing the home side to deal with numerous attacks as Mulligan was called into action to clear.

Substitute Brandon Goodship dragged a shot wide late on as his search for a 36th goal of the season continued.

Two crosses came in late on for Weymouth but White was able to collect, as Weymouth lost 2-0 in what is just their second defeat against Kettering in their last six league matches, and as a result the Terras stay fourth.

Weymouth are next in action when they travel to Kings Langley on Saturday (3pm).