Stockport 1-0 Weymouth: Cameron Murray own goal gives Hatters three points

Murray 23 og

WEYMOUTH 0

WEYMOUTH pushed Stockport all the way at Edgeley Park but were ultimately sent to a 1-0 defeat at the Vanarama National League leaders.

Cameron Murray’s own goal midway through the first half was enough to separate the sides, Stockport dominating the opening 45 minutes before Weymouth enjoyed the better of the second.

Home sub Mark Kitching was sent off late on but Weymouth, despite worrying the hosts throughout the second half, came away with nothing.

Weymouth boss David Oldfield made two changes to the starting line-up that began the 2-2 draw against Bromley in midweek.

READ MORE: Stockport 1-0 Weymouth - how it happened

In came captain Josh McQuoid and Omar Mussa for Dan Smith and Sean Shields, the latter missing from the squad entirely.

Smith dropped down to the bench, where he was joined by Brad Ash, Mannie Mampala and Tom Blair, who all retained their places from Tuesday night.

Goalkeeper Tommy Scott took a place in the dugout as the only new addition to the squad that faced Bromley.

Stockport opted for two changes themselves with Jordan Keane replacing the suspended Liam Hogan and Ollie Crankshaw coming in for Myles Hippolyte.

Prior to kick-off Weymouth also announced Tom Donati as their new assistant manager, joining after a three-year spell as Bournemouth Under-15s boss.

Tom Donati has been named as Weymouth's assistant manager Picture: MARK PROBIN

Stockport, who began the day six points clear at the top of the table, had won 13 of their previous 14 games across all competitions.

And Dave Challinor’s men showed why they had risen to the top of the standings with a dominant first-half display.

There were two big let-offs for Weymouth in the opening six minutes as Paddy Madden rounded former Hatters keeper Ross Fitzsimons and squared for Ollie Crankshaw, whose goalbound shot was deflected away.

Madden then wasted a golden chance seconds later, booming over after the corner was only half cleared.

Weymouth continued to live dangerously when Crankshaw curled inches wide of Fitzsimons’ upright before the Stockport dangerman’s cross was picked off by the Weymouth keeper with Will Collar poised to head home.

Weymouth struggled to impact the Stockport defence as McQuoid was closed down immediately after the briefest sight of goal.

Weymouth captain Josh McQuoid was recalled to the starting line-up Picture: MARK PROBIN

Weymouth had managed to contain the league leaders until the 23rd minute when the Terras went behind in unfortunate circumstances.

Scott Quigley did well to keep Keane’s cross alive for Crankshaw, who promptly won a corner.

Ryan Rydel’s delivery then proved too awkward for Murray to head clear, the diminutive midfielder flicking the ball past Fitzsimons for an own goal.

Macauley Southam-Hales was next to test Fitzsimons with a powerful header before Quigley worked the visiting keeper into a sharp low stop.

Weymouth had little to shout about, other than Haji Mnoga’s wild shot over the bar.

Stockport pushed for a second before the break but Tyler Cordner headed clear two corners, while Rydel was booked for a foul on Mnoga as Weymouth looked to counter.

Stockport made a change at half-time, bringing off Ryan Johnson for Kitching but Weymouth were improved in the second period.

The Terras dispensed with their long-ball strategy and began to accumulate possession in Stockport’s half, Mussa working Ben Hinchcliffe into his first save of the day.

Stockport responded when Aaron Drewe was booked for a foul on Rydel, Madden then sending a loopy header over the bar from the free-kick.

Oldfield made an attacking double change, Blair and Smith replacing Drewe and McQuoid as Weymouth probed away.

Mussa was able to get on the ball with greater frequency and Blair was crowded out on the break.

Tom Bearwish was then brought down by Kitching, earning yellow, but Brandon Goodship’s cross was headed away and Bearwish’s follow-up was also dealt with.

Tom Bearwish, right, had a sight of goal in the second half Picture: MARK PROBIN

Blair won a corner as Weymouth remained on the front foot but Ash Palmer was well placed to deny Bearwish.

Mampala came on at the expense of Harvey Bunker and the striker was involved 10 minutes from time when he poked a cross at Hinchcliffe.

For all Weymouth’s good play they had little to show for their efforts as Stockport remained a threat on the break, Harfield repelling a Madden shot.

Smith had enjoyed a big influence since his introduction but he was only able to head over a presentable chance from Blair’s cross in the 86th minute.

As Weymouth chased the game, Stockport’s nerves were jangling when they were reduced to 10 men late on as Kitching received his second yellow for handbags with Blair and Goodship, who were also booked.

Weymouth were repelled in their efforts to equalise in stoppage-time by a steadfast Stockport rearguard, who gobbled up a Harfield long throw before the final whistle was blown.

Defeat left Weymouth nine points away from safety with 14 games to go after Altrincham beat Dagenham 3-0.

Stockport: Hinchcliffe, Palmer, Southam-Hales, Madden, Collar, Johnson (Kitching 46), Keane, Ryde (Newby 75), Croasdale, Quigley (Hippolyte 72), Crankshaw. Subs not used: Whitfield, Jennings.

Terras: Fitzsimons, Cordner, Goodship, Mussa, McQuoid (Smith 58), Mnoga, Bearwish, Drewe (Blair 58), Bunker (Mampala 72), Murray, Harfield. Subs not used: Ash, Scott.

Referee: Andrew Miller

Attendance: 7,418 (61 Weymouth fans)