Weymouth vs Kettering Town

Recap

Super Zubar nets dramatic late winner for Weymouth

A LATE winner from defender Stephane Zubar ensured the Terras sealed back-to-back wins in all competitions and knocked off Kettering Town in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.

The former AFC Bournemouth man, who has made a huge impact since joining the club earlier in the campaign, sent the home fans into raptures after netting a winner in what was a thrilling contest at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

The Terras set up with a back three for the encounter with skipper Zubar returning after missing the Dorset Senior Cup victory over Wimborne Town in midweek.

He was partnered by Ashley Wells and Jake Wannell, with Calvin Brooks and Mark Cooper operating as wing-backs on the afternoon.

Kettering forced the first chance of the afternoon in the opening exchanges when a header at the back post from Gary Mulligan was comfortably well held in the home goal.

But it was the Terras who got the early advantage on 14 minutes with their first real crafted move of the contest.

A sweeping ball found Jordan Copp who had moved into a wide area and he delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Stuart Fleetwood, who placed a precise header into the corner of the net from close range.

Despite his side being a goal up, boss Matthews was forced into an early change.

Wannell, who was playing on the left of the three-man defence, limped off and was replaced by Tiago Sa, who made his return after being stretchered off against Hayes & Yeading the previous week.

But it only took the away side nine minutes to draw level. A routine ball into the area was flicked into the path of Brett Solkhon, who stabbed home to level things up.

And on 26 minutes the game was turned on its head by the away side.

A low ball to the Terras’ near post was not dealt with by Matthews’ men and somehow Aaron O’Connor was allowed to bundle an effort into the net for 2-1 to the Poppies.

Tempers then flared in what was an action-packed first half. A nasty looking lunge by Mulligan on Weymouth’s Dean Evans earned him a caution, with the Terras’ voicing their opinions that he should have seen red.

While that fracas was going on, the Terras lost Charlie Davis to injury, who had to be carried off on a stretcher. That meant Weymouth had used two substitutions inside the opening 40 minutes – Billy Lowes was the man to come on.

More drama then ensued as Copp blocked a ball on the Weymouth goal line which looked to be destined for the net. The away fans behind the goal were adamant the midfielder had done so with his arm but referee Timothy Burley was having none of it.

Following the break, Sa and Copp combined with a neat-one two for the hosts, the latter fired a tame effort at the goalkeeper.

At the other end, Kettering’s Liam Canavan unleashed a fierce shot which keeper Tom McHale was able to parry, after the Poppies launched a long throw into the box.

Copp then was the man to be played through by Sa for the Terras, but he was denied on this occasion by Poppies’ keeper Liam Gooch.

But the former Plymouth man, who insisted that “personal pride” was important to him in the build-up to the contest, then made it 2-2 from the penalty spot.

Copp’s initial effort was parried by Gooch and, having picked up the follow up, he was brought down in the area. He dusted himself down and then calmly slotted the spot-kick home.

A couple more penalty shouts were then waved away despite protests from the Terras – striker Thomson then worked keeper Gooch with a low drive which was gathered.

But the Terras continues to press and with three minutes left, they got their reward through their captain.

Zubar popped up to head home into the corner to send the home fans wild and give Matthews’ men a dramatic three points.