Weymouth v AFC Bournemouth U21’s

Recap

Courtesy of Dorset Echo by Neil Walton

WEYMOUTH

Roberts 31, Bearwish 32

BOURNEMOUTH DEV 1

Tydeman 84

WEYMOUTH came through their toughest examination of the summer so far, beating Bournemouth Development 2-1 at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

First-half goals from Dan Roberts and skipper Tom Bearwish were enough for Weymouth, who also missed a penalty via their captain.

Kian Tydeman’s late goal for Cherries created a tense finish but Weymouth never looked like conceding again and instead missed more chances for a third goal.

Ashley Clarke slipped Dan Winterburn through only for a heavy touch to rob him of the chance to shoot.

Weymouth went on to suffer two injuries in the first half as Brandon Goodship and Teddy Howe trudged off, replaced by Tommy Stagg and Dylan Adjei-Hersey.

The Terras responded positively as Roberts nodded against the post, Stagg’s follow-up was blocked by Maxwell Kinsey-Williams and Adjei-Hersey glanced a header wide in a third attempt.

Weymouth would lead just past the half-hour mark, though.

Bearwish hounded Toure Williams and his tackle released Roberts into space, the striker coolly electing to check back and use the covering defender as a shield to unsight Billy Terrell and blast a low shot home from 15 yards.

Fewer than 60 seconds later, Weymouth doubled their lead as Cherries failed to track Bearwish’s run, the Weymouth skipper flicking a good header beyond Terrell from Leo Hamblin’s cross.

In a frantic period of the game, Cherries should have scored with their next attack as Clarke was released into space in the box before planting his effort wide of the far post.

And just three minutes after Weymouth’s opening goal, the Terras were given a chance for their third via the penalty spot.

Terrell clumsily flattened Roberts in an aerial duel and the referee awarded a spot-kick, with Bearwish dragging his shot well wide of the left-hand post.

That was the last action of the half and Cherries resumed in the ascendancy after the break, Finn Tonks having a goal chalked out for offside after Clarke had strayed out of line.

The opening 20 minutes of the half proved light on chances but in the 63rd minute Weymouth boss Bobby Wilkinson chose to remove Roberts for Marvin Brooks, returning after a knee knock.

His changes conjured a welcome uplift in action as Bearwish skirted around the Cherries’ defence and lashed at Terrell before Bearwish stole possession, fed Adjei-Hersey and he in turn supplied Brooks to fire into the side-netting.

Cherries were always a threat on the break and were unlucky not to halve the deficit, scything through the Weymouth defence and teeing up Clarke who was denied by Anthony Cheshire’s brave block.

Cherries did set up an intriguing finale when Kian Tydeman punished a poor pass from sub Chris McQueen, rounding Gerard Benfield to score from six yards.

Weymouth’s response merited a third goal as Stagg whipped a Frankie Monk cross into the side netting before a wonderful triple save from Cherries’ sub keeper Cam Plain.

Brooks stole possession and was first denied by Plain, who got up sharply to block Stagg’s follow-up before tipping Bearwish’s attempted lob onto the bar.

On 88 minutes Stagg scuffed a low shot at Plain from ten yards and the away keeper was busied again to keep out Adjei-Hersey’s low shot.

Weymouth had done enough to close out victory however, ensuring they remain unbeaten in pre-season after four games.

Terras: Benfield, Howe (Adjei-Hersey 25), Hamblin, Rees (Stephens 80), Cheshire, Rowan (McQueen 70), Roberts (M Brooks 63), Bearwish, Wabo (Monk 73), Goodship (Stagg 14), C Brooks. Subs not used: Dillon, Iseguan.

Bournemouth: Terrell, Tonks, Boutin, Wadham, Kinsey-Wellings, Harris, Johnson, Williams, Clarke, Winterburn, Tydeman.