BOSS DROPS A CLANGER!
WEYMOUTH 1 PLYMOUTH 1
JASON MATTHEWS is delighted his side are showing “hunger and desire” in pre-season – even though he knew they would have won but for his mistake!
The Terras player-manager, whose goalkeeping error handed the Pilgims a shortlived lead early in the second half, was delighted with this run-out following a 5-1 reverse against a strong Eastleigh outfit in midweek.
“A small blip today was that we could have scored more but focusing on the positives we played some outstanding stuff, got loads of minutes under our belts and we have drawn with Argyle firsts,” said Matthews.
“We looked relaxed on the ball, gave Plymouth very lttle until the latter stages and the performance was even better than we showed against Eastleigh. I feel that 5 or 6 have nailed on their places for this term and it was nice to have striker Sam Jordan back fit while Connor Jevon is starting to stake a real claim.”
Both sides struggled to find a telling final ball in a lively, even first period that produced precious few goal attempts to trouble either keeper.
Jake Jervis was presented with a good shooting chance for the Pilgrims on the quarterhour but he fired his 30-yard free-kick straight into the wall moments before Dean Evans proved his worth once more for the hosts, cleaning up neatly in defence to halt Louis Rooney in full flight.
Then, either side of the halfhour mark, Jervis wasted a fabulous centre from Jordan Slew as he headed well wide before former Pilgrim Stewart Yetton stretched to volley the first real Weymouth chance straight at keeper Vincent Dorel.
Not surprisingly Argyle upped their attacking tempo right from the kick-off after the break and within the first minute boss Matthews was alert to deny Slew twice with smart reaction saves.
The visitors continued to press and were rewarded with the opening goal after 52 minutes when a mistake by Matthews was seized upon by Rooney who dispossessed the keeper on the by-line before squaring for Slew to tap into an empty net.
Just six minutes later though the hosts were awarded a penalty when Naurus Bulvitis rammed into Mark Cooper and Chris Shephard slammed home the spot kick for one apiece.
Both sides enjoyed late chances to win the game but the Southern Premier side will be best pleased as they gear up for their season opener at Biggleswade on August 6. STAR MAN: Calvin Brooks (Weymouth) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★