BENTLEY’S THE HERO IN TERRAS COMEBACK
Spoils shared late on
BY MARK Molesley’s admission Weymouth are suffering a bit of a “sticky spell” at the moment but their rousing finish to this game is sure to raise spirits at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
The Terras boss thought when Hartley grabbed their second they were out of it but they ended the game on a real high.
Molesley then added: “Although we were nowhere near our usual selves, we got a point. We didn’t move it well early on and didn’t create enough while they were very well organised. This is a sticky spell but we will iron out the creases and navigate through.”
In a lukewarm first half, the Terras enjoyed most of the possession but struggled to make chances.
Brandon Goodship powered a drive straight at keeper Paul Strudley on eight minutes and then a Josh Wakefield corner had to be flicked over shortly after.
From the next corner, Tyron Smith bravely blocked another fierce Goodship drive before the contest swung the other way.
The visitors had been lacklustre with their final delivery, that was until the 28th minute when Jack French threaded a delightful ball through for Michael Campbell to chase but he skewed his shot horribly wide.
But that opening seemed to ignite Hartley who then finished the half well on top.
Skipper Nic Ciardini should have done better with a header that drifted over the far post but moments later they got the goal they deserved.
First, keeper Jordan Seabright did well to thwart Louie Paget but the Terras struggle to clear the danger and Jacques Kpohomouh slotted home.
Early in the second period, the hosts continued to be frustrated although Goodship ended a quick break in the 74th minute with a shot just wide.
However, within three minutes of that near miss, Hartley appeared to put the game to bed when a fabulous ball from Paget picked out Michael Campbell who coolly lobbed Seabright.
The Terras were not done though and that goal only served to set up a pulsating last 15 minutes and a serious fight back.
In the 81st, Abdulai Baggie fires through a crowded box and Stephane Zubar nudged the ball home. And then, the hosts got their last-gasp leveller when Antonio Diaz pulled the ball back for substitute Warren Bentley to tuck home.