Action from the North and South play-off finals
THIS time 11 years ago Weymouth were preparing for administration – now they’re on their way back to the big time.
As Noor Husin skied the decisive penalty, some Terras officials couldn’t hold back the tears.
This wasn’t just the culmination of a season’s work on the field but one built from the ashes after years of boardroom disputes and financial struggles.
In Weymouth’s last season in Non-League’s top flight, their under-18 team were beaten 9-0 by Rushden & Diamonds, which remains a Conference record.
It led to successive relegations into the Southern League, yet it is fitting, perhaps, that back-to-back promotions have taken them back to the National League.
Everything that Mark Molesley has touched has turned to gold since he took the plunge into management with the club in 2017.
A play-off defeat in his first season was followed by a title success – only to be trumped by this campaign.
Weymouth were tipped to finish third-bottom, instead they finished third-top. They nearly made a hash of a twogoal lead against Dorking Wanderers in the semi-final but still progressed – this time they held their nerve when it went to spot kicks.
“My staff and my players have been magnificent all season and to pick up from where we left off and get the job done just shows the mentality of this group,” said Molesley.
“Dartford are a very good side. Steve King is an experienced manager and always puts a good team together.
I have to take my hat off to them for the season they’ve had. It’s been a long season, real hard work and dedication from all my staff and players. I’m really delighted for them to prove the doubters wrong.”
The one downside of the afternoon was the loyal Weymouth fans couldn’t be at the Bob Lucas Stadium to see one of the greatest days in their history.
The first half would have been difficult viewing for them, though, as Dartford had the better of the chances.
The first chance of the match was the only one the hosts had in the opening period when Jaidon Anthony’s shot across goal was cleared off the line by Jack Jebb and then Jordan Ngalo’s follow-up was blocked by the scrambling Darts defence.
The visitors grew into the game and striker Charlie Sheringham started having some joy up against the centre-back pairing of Jake McCarthy and Shaun Hobson.
His flick header was latched on to by Darren McQueen in the 20th minute and despite losing his footing, managed to get a shot away at goal that took a slight deflection and goalkeeper Calum Ward had to be down sharply to parry the ball away.
Dartford’s two best chances of the half came within a minute of each other with five left on the clock.
Left-back Craig Braham-Barrett overlapped and pulled the ball back for Hyde, but his shot from six yards was stopped by Ward.
The Weymouth goalkeeper was comfortably their best player and he did well to rush quickly out of his goal to save
from Sheringham’s header after a deft ball over the top from Elliott Romain.
The visitors started brightly with Husin’s shot from 25 yards flying narrowly wide of the top corner.
Weymouth’s best chance came through substitute Ben Thomson, when he beat Husin and then Braham-Barrett before producing a smart stop from AJ Sesay.
Both teams tightened up in the closing stages, which led to penalites where Dartford imploded.
Tom Whelan, Jake McCarthy and Anthony scored their spot kicks for Weymouth as incredibly Jack Jebb, McQueen – who converted all 13 of his previous penalties, and Husin all fired over to the shock of boss King.
“To put three out of the ground is a million to one,” he said, having suffered his fourth defeat in a National League South play-off final. “This one hurts the most.
“We’ve done everything to get to the final, three away games on the bounce. I don’t think we deserved to lose it, did we do enough to win it? I think it’s about right.
“I told the players I am immensely proud of them to get where they’ve got to. They’re a credit to the club and to themselves.
“It’s going to take a good while for me to get over this.” STAR MAN: Calum Ward (Weymouth) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Robert Whitton