WEYMOUTH 0

FC HALIFAX TOWN 2

Bradbury 53, Dearnley 90

WEYMOUTH slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat as FC Halifax Town claimed all three points from their Vanarama National League clash at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

The Terras seemed off the pace for large spells, failing to apply any serious pressure on a watertight away defence.

Halifax always looked likelier to score and hit the bar just before half-time through Martin Woods.

Tom Bradbury then got the breakthrough eight minutes after the break, league debutant Zak Dearnley making sure of the win on 90 minutes.

READ MORE: Weymouth 0-2 Halifax Town - how it happened

Weymouth remain in relegation danger, nine points off safety.

David Oldfield made three changes to the side that began the 1-0 loss at Stockport last time out as Weymouth suffered with illness in midweek, non Covid-19-related.

Brandon Goodship missed out completely, while Tom Bearwish and Cameron Murray were dropped to the bench.

Brad Ash, Mannie Mampala and Dan Smith all came in to replace the aforementioned three.

Jordan Greenidge was drafted in to the squad as the only new addition.

One change for the Shaymen came as Jordan Slew replaced the ill Aaron Martin.

Slew scored against Weymouth in the reverse fixture as Halifax won 2-0.

Weymouth lost all three games against Halifax since their return to the National League but came into this encounter unbeaten in three league games at home.

And the Terras nearly made the perfect start inside the first minute when Bradbury allowed a long ball to skim off his foot for a corner to Weymouth.

McQuoid sent in the corner and Smith was able to swivel and shoot, only to see his effort blocked.

Halifax threatened when Slew cut inside on the break but Weymouth smothered his effort before Ollie Harfield thumped clear.

With blustery conditions proving difficult for both sides, possession on the floor was key which led to several tasty challenges in the half.

Aaron Drewe was the victim of a badly mistimed challenge from Niall Maher, who earned yellow, but Harfield’s free-kick sailed into keeper Sam Johnson’s gloves.

Halifax had some joy on the counter and they were presented with a clear sight of goal from a swift break when Billy Waters was denied from 20 yards by Ross Fitzsimons.

Haji Mnoga then had to stoop low to head away a Halifax free-kick and Martin Woods volleyed the rebound well wide.

Weymouth were restricted to crumbs in front of goal, Ash galloping away on the left only to slot his low cross just behind the run of Smith.

Tyler Cordner curled over from 20 yards and Harfield’s delivery from a free-kick was again found wanting as Weymouth struggled to make an impression.

Instead, it was Halifax who nearly went 1-0 up two minutes before half-time as Woods picked up possession on the break before firing an effort past the motionless Fitzsimons and against the bar.

Halifax continued to look the likelier to score after the interval as Weymouth failed to find any fluency, Omar Mussa dumping a 35-yard free-kick into Johnson’s arms.

At the other end, Woods tested Fitzsimons at his near post from a free-kick and Waters then brought a stunning one-on-one save from the keeper, Mnoga showing superb anticipation to scamper back and head the rebound off the line.

But Halifax deservedly went ahead in the 53rd minute when a disputed free-kick was awarded in their favour.

Luke Summerfield chipped in the free-kick, skimming off Harfield’s head perfectly for Bradbury to volley back across goal from six yards for 1-0.

Weymouth’s bluntness up top convinced Oldfield to replace Harvey Bunker for Tom Blair and the winger showed attacking intent immediately.

His driving run and lay-off to Ash was slapped wide by the forward but Blair then won a corner after a similarly aggressive run, Mampala seeing a chance snuffed out at the back post from the delivery.

Mampala and Drewe made way for Bearwish and Greenidge with nine minutes to go and the latter was instantly in the mix, nodding on for Blair to turn and shoot at Johnson.

Weymouth huffed and puffed for a leveller but Halifax always possessed the greater cut and thrust up front.

They duly put the game out of sight in the 90th minute, sub Jamie Thomas crossing for Dearnley seconds after coming on.

Dearnley still had plenty to do and he managed to hold off his man, swivel and squeeze an effort underneath Fitzsimons to wrap up the points.

Terras: Fitzsimons, Cordner, Mussa, McQuoid, Ash, Mnoga, Drewe (Bearwish 81), Mampala (Greenidge 81), Bunker (Blair 64), Harfield, Smith. Subs not used: Murray, Scott.

Halifax: Johnson, Warren, Debrah, Bradbury, Maher, Allen (Dearnley 64), Summerfield, Woods (Warburton 73), Waters, Spence, Slew (Thomas 89). Subs not used: McDonagh, Senior.

Referee: Elliott Swallow

Attendance: 1,026