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Dunstable double sinks Matthews’ men
A SECOND-HALF goal from midfielder Dean Evans was not enough to stop Dunstable Town sealing all three points against the Terras at Creasey Park.
Evans headed home from a Chris Shephard corner to salvage a glimmer of hope for the visitors, but Danny Talbot’s first-half free-kick and James Kaloczi’s eventual winner following the interval were enough to put an end to Weymouth’s positive run on the road.
As expected, Terras’ player-manager Jason Matthews was unable to feature in goal for the visitors due to an ongoing heel problem.
AFC Bournemouth youngster Jordan Holmes, who agreed a one month youth loan deal with the club on Friday, was handed his debut between the sticks. He was chosen ahead of reserve stopper Steve Boore, who was out of the squad all together.
Matthews predicted in the build-up to the contest that his side were in for a tough afternoon at Creasey Park.
Dunstable’s last home league fixture saw them denied all three points by former Terra Luke Burbidge, as his late leveller meant Poole Town managed to seal a 1-1 draw earlier this month.
Named in the hosts’ starting XI on this occasion was experienced striker John Frendo, who recently joined the Duns from Weymouth’s next FA Trophy opponents, Hemel Hempstead Town.
He provided two assists as his new club beat Bedworth United 2-1 in the league last weekend and also featured as Dunstable let a three-goal lead slip at Biggleswade in midweek.
And while Adam Kelly went close to adding to his scoring run for Weymouth and Evans failed to convert a header, it was the Duns who took the lead on 17 minutes through Talbot.
He let fly with a stunning free-kick which flew into the back of the net as debutant Holmes never moved.
A goal down, the Terras then looked for a quick response through the in-form Chris Shephard, but he spurned the opportunity to level things up.
Kelly then came within inches of making it 1-1 for the visitors as his shot hit the crossbar and captain Stewart Yetton saw a tame shot thwarted by veteran Duns’ keeper Paul Bastock.
As the clash progressed, Weymouth began to up the pressure.
A melee ensued in the home side’s area, but when the ball fell to Evans, he put the chance just wide.
And, despite a flurry of Weymouth corners prior to the break, the hosts held firm and stabbed the ball off the line just before the interval to retain their advantage.
Try as they might, the Terras just could not find an equaliser and they were hit with a sucker punch on 61 minutes.
A free-kick was swung into the box by Talbot and Kaloczi latched on to the delivery to double the Duns’ advantage, a moment which proved to be pivotal in the contest.
That two-goal cushion was short-lived however, as Evans soon got Weymouth back in contention. He headed home a corner from Shephard, to give the away side a chance of grabbing a point.
Weymouth’s chances of salvaging a draw were then enhanced as the Duns were reduced to 10 men when Victor Osubu was given his marching orders by the match official for a second booking.
But there was nothing Matthews’ troops could do as, despite creating plenty of opportunities, they travelled home empty handed.
