Weymouth FC end torrid run of form with win over Hampton & Richmond

Besides a cagey final 20 minutes, The Terras were commanding throughout, enjoying the lion’s share of possession and chances.

This emphatic win places the Dorset outfit THREE points above last-place Hungerford Town, with a game in hand on their relegation rivals.

Before the match, the hosts had endured a dismal run of form, losing FIVE league matches in a row.

Manager Bobby Wilkinson aimed to rectify his side's recent defeats, making three changes from their previous outing against Oxford City.

In came Scott Rees, David Sesay and Tom Blair in for Dan Matsuzaka, Harvey Slade and Keelan O’Connell, who had not yet recovered from his injury sustained last weekend.

Ultimately, the Weymouth gaffer's changes paid dividends, with Sesay being awarded man-of-the-match for his emphatic performance.

The Sierra Leone international had opened the scoring early on, following some promising early play from The Terras.

The hosts’ lead was deservedly doubled just THREE minutes into the second half, with a header from Ahkeem Rose extending Weymouth’s lead to two goals.

However, Wilkinson’s side would have to battle for the final 20 minutes after target man Tommy Wood had clawed one back for the visitors.

Thankfully, their defensive acumen allowed the hosts to see out the rest of the game, resulting in a well-earned three points.

Wilkinson displayed his delight towards his players’ tenacity on and off the ball after the game, believing he “saw both sides” of his team this evening.

Meanwhile, Hampton manager Mel Gwinnett endured a miserable return to his former ground, where he had enjoyed a spell as the The Terras’ goalkeeper.

The recently-appointed boss, who has now overseen four games with his new side, is still yet to win a match since his appointment by The Beavers.

The two struggling teams were looking to turn their miserable fortunes around, neither side having won their previous five games.

However, despite Weymouth’s especially abysmal form, the Dorset outfit boasted the more impressive head-to-head record, winning three of the last four outings between both sides.

The match went underway on a cold Tuesday night at 7.45pm, in front of 626 supporters.

Wilkinson’s changes appeared to have worked, manifesting the first corner of the game three minutes in, after Blair and Chris Francis combined with some neat one-two play.

Meanwhile the visitors, draped in sky blue and white, sat back in their classic 4-4-2 formation, looking to prevent any further chances for the Terras.

Weymouth managed to capitalise on their play with an early goal, Sesay opening the scoring with a thumping shot into the top left corner following an initial parry by goalkeeper Alan Julian. 

Sesay’s opener justified his inclusion in the starting lineup, the electric wide man being at the centre of everything positive created by the Terras in the opening 10 minutes.

However, the scoreline could have changed a minute on, Wood unlucky not to bring his side level with a header only inches wide of the left post.

The Terras were unfortunate not to extend their lead 14 minutes in, Nathan Carlyle having his headed shot bravely deflected onto the bar by the already busy Julian.

Former Northern Ireland youth keeper Julian was tasked with keeping the increasingly dangerous home side at bay.

Meanwhile, his defence, who had now shifted to a back five, appeared shaky from the start.

Weymouth could have arguably added another five minutes later, Rose somehow not converting into an open net.

However, the Jamaican-born forward may have been forgiven for his missed chance, full-back Luis Fernandez doing just about enough to obstruct his opportunity.

Play was temporarily halted shortly after the match’s opening quarter, Beavers’ centre-back Dean Inman picking up a knock near the halfway line. 

The imposing defender was ultimately unable to continue, being replaced by recently-signed forward Daniel Rowe.

Rowe, who’s introduction altered his team’s setup, had yet to feature for Hampton before replacing his injured teammate.

The flow of the game remained what had already been seen, Wilkinson’s side continuing to dominate play after the half-hour mark.

They still remained unfortunate to capitalise on their lead, Luke Jenkins placing his header just over the bar.

However, the Terras’ adversity in front of goal did little to alter their first-half play, which remained free-flowing and energetic.

Meanwhile, the lacklustre away side were further camped in their half with each pass made, appearing unable to withstand Weymouth’s lively pressing.

Hampton’s second best chance of the half came four minutes before halftime, with a speculative effort from Connor Kurran-Brown firing well wide.

The uninspired effort by Kurran-Brown, who has ZERO goals in 15 appearances this season, perhaps summed up The Beavers’ first half, where they looked unable to create any chances for much of the opening 45 minutes.

And with the two added minutes from referee Steven Hughes, neither side had a huge opportunity to change the scoreline before the break.

Wilkinson entered the dressing room by far the more elated of the two managers, watching his side dominate the first half since kick-off.

Meanwhile, Gwinnett, still looking to earn his first win as Hampton manager, had a lot to do to turn his team’s fortunes around.

The lead was swiftly doubled 93 seconds into the second half, Rose planting his head on the end of Blair’s corner.

Whatever Gwinnett had said to his players appeared to have little of an effect, with the tone of the second half continuing as it did in the first.

The new gaffer looked to change the outcome of the game only a few minutes on from Rose’s header, introducing attacking midfielder Brandon Barzey for Fernandez, who looked unconvincing for the majority of his appearance.

After being on the receiving end for much of their last game, one could be forgiven for assuming Weymouth’s misfortunes would remain the same on a breezy Tuesday night.

However, it would be The Terras’ turn to display bags of quality. This was no more prevalent than with Bradley Ash’s Zidane-esque roulette turn on the edge of the box nine minutes into the second half.

Despite the home side’s persistent dominance, The Beavers were able to claw one back, Wood able to tap in from close range four minutes before the hour mark, making it only 2-1 to Wilkinson’s side.

Despite Wood’s goal being Hampton’s first shot on target, the away side appeared to grow in confidence, Kurran-Brown’s low driving shot being parried away for a corner only two minutes on.

The game steadily became end-to-end as the hour mark passed, Bradley Ash breaking through on goal, before colliding with trailing opponent Shane Dunne.

However, Hughes, who had been looking to let the game flow all evening, opted not to award the free kick.

Weymouth’s concerns grew just a couple of minutes later, with Hampton captain Jake Gray looking certain to score from close range.

However, the former Crystal Palace youth player, against all odds, carelessly fired his chance over the bar.

The first booking of the game was awarded to the away side in the 68th minute, Sam Deadfield cautioned for a reckless challenge on Luke Jenkins in the Hampton half.

It could be argued that Hughes had been lenient to display a card at the time that he did. There had been numerous appeals to stop play all over the pitch beforehand, with Hughes preferring to allow heavy challenges without punishment.

If Weymouth had been the dominant side for the first hour, it was the visitors who were appearing more confident as the match entered its final 20 minutes. 

Kurran-Brown, increasingly at the centre of his team’s attacking play, came close with a driving shot towards the increasingly busy Zaki Oualah.

Wilkinson looked to maintain his side’s now slender lead, introducing Will Dawes in place of Scott Rees.

Gwinnett, however, aimed to alter the scoreline with another change, with tenacious winger Stefan Ilic replacing goalscorer Wood. 

As the match entered its final 10 minutes, The Beavers remained the busier of the two sides, appearing threatening as the game was creeping towards the end.

However, Hampton could not convert their chances as time went on, as they found their opportunities landing safely in the hands of the reliable Oualah, who looked to hold onto the ball for as long as possible.

Wilkinson made his second change three minutes before halftime, with Ash making way for midfielder Matt Buse.

The Weymouth gaffer appeared to add stability to his side with his tactical change, with the Yeovil-native dropping deep to strengthen the overrun midfield.

The visitors’ chances grew further slim as Hughes indicated a total of four minutes stoppage time.

Meanwhile, the Terras were set up as a defensive unit, looking to hold on to their slender lead.

Ultimately, Hampton’s pursuit of an equaliser was unsuccessful, with the match ending in a 2-1 Weymouth victory.

For Wilkinson, his side have now ended a torrid run of defeats with a deserved win that keeps them away from the foot of the National League South.

The Weymouth gaffer was full of praise in his post-match interview, his staff being equally as lauded as his largely impressive players. 

“I’m so proud of everyone at the football club”, Wilkinson stated. “Tonight, it’s all about my players, my staff….everyone as a group, trying to build togetherness.”

However, for Gwinnett, his team head back to South-West London having extended their winless run to EIGHT matches, edging them closer towards the relegation zone.