|
|
|
Weymouth impress in victory over King’s Lynn TownGOALS from Stewart Yetton and Jordan Copp meant impressive Weymouth got back to winning ways at the Bob Lucas Stadium, with a comfortable home triumph over King’s Lynn Town. In what was a much-improved performance from the Terras’ last home outing in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division, Yetton ended his scoring drought after 21 minutes and Copp got his name on the score sheet just past the hour mark, hammering home a rebound from a penalty to ensure Jason Matthews’ men recorded their sixth home win of the campaign. After his side put in a strong performance in midweek to seal a point at Chippenham last time out, Terras’ boss Matthews named an unchanged starting XI for the clash with Lynn, who themselves won 2-1 at Histon on Tuesday. The only change from the squad of 16 for the home side came on the bench as Adam Kelly was deemed fit enough to be listed as a replacement as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. He came into the squad to replace number-two keeper Steve Boore. There was still no place for injured Weymouth duo George Rigg and Mark Molesley, who continue to nurse both ankle and calf problems. The visitors named Sam Mulready, who had notched five league goals prior to kick-off in their ranks, but it was the home side who made their opposing keeper work first after just seven minutes. A throw from the right from Weymouth full-back Mark Cooper eventually found its way out to playmaker Chris Shephard, who hit a stinging strike from the edge of the box which Linnets’ stopper Alex Street dealt with well. Moments later, King’s Lynn’s Liam Hurst was given enough room by the home side to let fly from 25 yards out and, with Matthews flying to his left, the ball whistled past the post. Lynn keeper Street was then smartly off his line to deny Terras’ hitman Ben Thomson as he was played through on the quarter of an hour mark. And, after Dean Evans’ hit a low drive just off target, the home side’s pressure paid dividends. A pin-point delivery from full-back Jake Wannell was met by Yetton, who ended his search for a goal when he rose highest and headed into the corner to make it 1-0. Hurst then showed his threat once more for the Linnets with another strike from range, which fell narrowly wide as the away team looked for a response. At the other end, a corner swung in from Shephard was then headed just wide at the back post by Evans and the two combined once again minutes later. A slick one-two saw Evans play the ball into the path of Shephard, whose effort was charged down by onrushing gloveman Street. The Lynn keeper also did well to get back up and deny Cooper on the follow up and clear the danger. A drilled ball from the left then resulted in Thomson glancing wide as Weymouth went in at the break in control with a goal advantage. The Terras switched Billy Lowes, who had suffered a slight concussion for Chris McPhee at the break and Lynn re-shuffled their pack shortly after. Sam Gaughran was replaced by Matthew Castellan. Good work from Shephard then almost meant Yetton doubled his tally for the afternoon but, when he was unchallenged inside the area, he dragged his effort just wide of the target. Still a goal down, Lynn showed their threat on the counter as striker Toby Hilliard tussled with Calvin Brooks, the former’s shot was blocked by Pat Baldwin and Mulready blazed the rebound well over. Just past the hour mark, the Terras then doubled their lead through Copp. He was clipped just inside the area by Lynn’s replacement Castellan and referee Adrian Tranter showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Copp dusted himself down and saw his spot-kick parried onto the post, but he kept his cool to smash home the rebound and put the Terras well in the box seat with 64 minutes on the clock. Weymouth continued to press as Yetton, Shephard and Copp all linked up well and, minutes later, Thomson almost made it 3-0. He chased determinedly to run on to his own flick forward and almost caught Street out with a low drive which was drilled at his near post. Copp was then given a warm ovation from the home fans when he was replaced by Ashley Wells with just under 10 minutes remaining. And Lynn’s misery was then made even worse when, having made three changes, Kern Miller was forced to limp off with an injury, meaning they had to play the remaining eight minutes a man light as the Terras cruised to victory.
|
