Ben Thomson strikes winner for Weymouth at Basingstoke

BASINGSTOKE TOWN 1

Argent 23

WEYMOUTH 2

Goodship 45, Thomson 75

BEN Thomson returned to the starting line-up with a bang as he ensured Weymouth beat Basingstoke Town 2-1 at the Camrose in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South.

Basingstoke dominated the first half, culminating in Sam Argent’s 23rd-minute goal, while Brandon Goodship levelled after 45 minutes before Thomson earned the win with 15 minutes to play.

Prior to the match, Weymouth were able to announce the signing of Ryan Glover from AFC Bournemouth on a work experience loan.

The forward, 17, made the bench for the match at the Camrose and replaced Josh Carmichael after 60 minutes.

The Terras were able to welcome back Thomson from injury, while Callum Buckley was a late withdrawal for Weymouth.

Before kick-off there was a one-minute silence in honour of Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who lost his life when his helicopter came down shortly after take off following the Foxes’ 1-1 draw with West Ham last week.

In a fast start, the Dragons started well with two corners inside the first four minutes.

Argent missed a sitter for the home side when the ball was driven across the box by Sam Deadfield but the ball bounced off Argent at the far post and over the bar.

Soon after Weymouth fired a warning shot when they broke away through Goodship but goalkeeper Colm McAdden did well to save.

Argent then fired in another shot towards the target but Jordan Seabright in the Weymouth goal did well to save.

It was an end-to-end start, as not long after Goodship and Thomson managed to get forward before the former fired across goal, which could not find a fellow Terra until Abdulai Baggie revived the attack but could not find a cutting edge to break through.

Sam Smart then fired over for the home side as the two sides continued to try and work an opening.

The home side was having the best of the early stages as Jack McKnight swung a ball in that just evaded Argent.

Argent broke the deadlock however, when Smart did very well to evade Calvin Brooks on the byline to put a great ball up for Argent in the six-yard box who slammed the ball in midway through the first half.

Basingstoke’s Ben Wright then curled a ball in from a free-kick that missed everyone and soon after a ball across the box could not find a player with the goalmouth gaping.

The ball came to Dean Stow but he fired his shot wide from the edge of the box as the home side missed a huge opportunity to make it 2-0.

Weymouth were struggling to create a real chance at this point as Smart curled an attempt over the bar.

Goodship broke away and looked threatening and required Shane Hollamby to make the tackle and eventually the home side cleared the ball.

Weymouth were not long denied however, as Goodship grabbed his 51st goal for Weymouth when he fired in a looping 25-yard shot into the net just before half-time.

Baggie had the first shot of the second half when he fired a yard wide of the post after 47 minutes.

In bizarre scenes, Stephane Zubar received a yellow card for taking a long time to do up his laces prior to a Smart free-kick, from which Zubar headed the ball out for a corner.

Carmichael then received a yellow card for a foul on Charlie Kennedy and from the free-kick Seabright made a good save before Zubar cleared the danger.

The Dragons had come out firing and Wright should have scored for his side but he could not keep his headed effort low despite being six yards out.

After 58 minutes, Goodship cut in from the left but his shot forced McAdden into a smart save.

Goodship headed narrowly over after a good cross in from Brooks before Gerrard headed behind for a Weymouth corner, which was swung out towards Goodship but Kennedy was there to block.

In a telling blow, Thomson then swept home the winner after a Goodship pass.

Despite late Basingstoke pressure the goal proved enough to hand Weymouth all three points.

Weymouth host Street FC in the FA Trophy second qualifying round on Saturday (3pm).

Basingstoke Town: McAdden, Stow (Akers 86), Gerrard, Kennedy, Hollamby, Bayliss, Smart, McKnight, Argent, Deadfield, Wright (Parker 68).

Subs not used: Philby, Orvis, Collier.

Terras: Seabright, Sherring, Carmichael (Glover 60), Zubar, McCarthy, Wakefield, Ngalo, Thomson (Baker 86), Goodship (Sa 79), Baggie, Brooks.

Subs not used: Thomas.

Attendance: 518