Weymouth 1 Stafford Rangers 2
Nationwide Conference
At: Wessex Stadium
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 1371
Stafford Rangers ended a run of four straight defeats thanks to a magnificent all-round team performance at financially troubled Weymouth.
Levi Reid and David McNiven both found the net, scoring their first goals for the club.
Manager Phil Robinson shuffled his pack and made four changes to his starting line-up with Alex Gibson, Reid, fit-again Ged Murphy and McNiven all coming into the side.
Stafford did the early attacking with Murphy firing over from well outside the area. He also set up a good chance for Craig Lovatt who couldn’t direct an effort on target.
Referee Andrew Rodda, who at times puzzled the crowd with his decisions, issued the first of eight yellow cards in the 7th minute to Weymouth’s Simon Weatherstone for taking a free kick too early!
Weymouth, without a win since Boxing Day and reeling from the loss of no fewer than eleven players in the January transfer window, suffered a further blow when experienced defender Trevor Challis limped of after just 15 minutes. The departure of the skipper certainly aided Stafford’s cause.
But the home side responded and Danny Alcock got down to hold a low drive from Weatherstone. Player-manager Jason Tindall also fired wide.
Stafford, however, broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. Alex Gibson sent a long ball upfield from inside the Rangers half which hit defender Ray O’Brien. The rebound fell kindly to Reid, 30-yards out, who hit a swerving first-time shot that deceived Terras keeper Jason Matthews on its way into the net.
However, Weymouth got back on level terms in the 41st minute after Mr Rodda made a decision which no doubt had a key bearing on the outcome. Stuart Beavon intercepted a weak backpass from midfielder Anthony Griffith (who otherwise had a superb game) and broke clear only to be brought down by Alcock inside the area. The keeper was booked and Tindall converted the resulting penalty.
Reid had a shot blocked before Stafford scored what proved to be the winner in first half stoppage time. Nick Crittenden, just outside the area. inexplicably helped a long ball into the path of McNiven who clinically slotted past Matthews.
Just before the half-time whistle, Alcock leapt to hold a rising shot from Matt Hartman.
After the incident-packed first half, there were no further goals but Rangers should perhaps have further extended their lead on several occasions, especially just before the hour mark.
Reid got past the lunge of Ashley Vickers to make progress down the left and crossed low to Guy Madjo who was denied a shooting chance by defender Narada Bernard.
McNiven broke clear in the next attack and fired across goal and wide of the far post with just Matthews to beat. Murphy also fired at the Weymouth keeper from well outside the area.
Nathan Talbott looked to set up another chance when he broke down the left. He crossed into the area towards unmarked Madjo, only for substitute Scott Dixon to clear the danger.
Referee Rodda dished out bookings at frequent intervals during the second half and as a result both Craig McAughtrie and Lovatt will both due to miss last Saturday’s home game with Halifax Town through suspension.
Phil Robinson, speaking after the game, said: “We felt recent performances have been good but haven’t been getting the rub of the green. Again the performance was very good today. Perhaps we could have made the scoreline a bit more comfortable for ourselves if more of the chances we created had been taken.
“It was important coming here that we were solid and prepared to work. The players certainly did that. The work rate and desire to get a result was excellent. It was pleasing for David McNiven to get on the scoresheet on his first start and also for Levi Reid, also with his first start this season.
“Weymouth still have some decent players. They gave Burton a difficult time (in their previous league game) so it was going to be a tough game against a decent team.”
Providing Weymouth view, Dorset Echo correspondent Adam Summers wrote: “Everything that could have gone against the Terras did on Saturday, but at the end they could only blame themselves for the two soft goals they conceded that cost them the game. Defenders Trevor Challis and Narada Bernard both limped off with injuries for the hosts but it was the refereeing performance of Andrew Rodda … that was the main talking point at the final whistle.”
Weymouth (claret/claret/sky blue): Jason Matthews, Nick Crittenden, Ashley Vickers, Trevor Challis (capt) (Roy O'Brien, 14), Narada Bernard (Scott Dixon, 59), James Coutts, Brian Dutton, Simon Weatherstone, Matt Hartman (Callum Ross-Jennings, 81), Jason Tindall, Stuart Beavon. Unused subs: Matt Baker, Bell.
Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes/black/black): Danny Alcock, Alex Gibson, Wayne Daniel (capt), Craig McAughtrie, Nathan Talbott, Ged Murphy (Robin Gibson, 85), Craig Lovatt, Anthony Griffith, Levi Reid, Guy Madjo, David McNiven. Unused subs: Sean Ridgway, Neil Grayson, Danny Edwards, Liam Murray.
Referee: A. Rodda (Devon).
Attendance: 1371.
