Dover Athletic 0-2 Weymouth: Terras avoid relegation on final day

WEYMOUTH 2

Ash 22, Rose 31

WEYMOUTH extraordinarily avoided relegation from the Vanarama National League South on the final day with a deserved 2-0 win over Dover Athletic at the Crabble.

First-half goals from Brad Ash and Ahkeem Rose sent a dominant Weymouth 2-0 up, with their only scare coming when Luke Wanadio hit the bar on 45 minutes.

Dover, who also stayed up after Dulwich lost 1-0 to Chippenham, enjoyed more possession in the second half but lacked the quality to trouble Weymouth as the Terras pulled off a miraculous survival mission.

READ MORE: Dover Athletic 0-2 Weymouth - how it happened

Moving up to 19th in the league, this was the first time in 487 days that the Terras had tasted life outside the relegation zone, and never more timely than this.

Needing a victory, Weymouth were completely unchanged from the 3-1 win at Taunton both in the starting XI and on the bench.

With so much riding on the outcome, Weymouth could have been forgiven for making a nervy start, however, they were anything but anxious.

The Terras should have been 1-0 up in 72 seconds as Tom Blair’s interception and 50-yard sprint set up Tom Bearwish, his cute flick in turn finding Rose whose tame effort was gobbled up by Stuart Nelson.

Blair was at the centre of Weymouth’s next chance on six minutes as Dover switched off from a long throw, allowing the winger to chest the ball and cross.

Alfie Paxman headed off the line but only as far as Bearwish who somehow nodded over from three yards.

Going forward, it was all Weymouth as Keelan O’Connell and Teddy Howe combined on the right before the latter’s cross was collected by Nelson at the near post.

Teddy Howe, left, was a constant threat for Weymouth (Image: MARK PROBIN)

Howe was a constant outlet on the right in the first half and he created the next chance, cutting back for Rose who snatched at his 25-yard shot and dragged wide.

Moments after Rose nodded a difficult header behind, Weymouth took the lead.

O’Connell and Howe linked up once more on the right and the former’s cross was on the money for Ash to hook a first-time finish into the top-right corner, sparking bedlam amongst the massive travelling support.

Brad Ash, bottom, celebrates his goal at Dover (Image: MARK PROBIN)

Dover’s first spell of pressure came as Nathan Carlyle was forced to head clear Lee Martin’s free-kick with keeper Gerard Benfield mopping up the second ball.

Weymouth were dominant and Dover looked shaky in defence, so it came as no surprise when the Terras doubled their lead on 31 minutes.

Panicky defending allowed Ash to win a corner and Blair’s delivery was met by Rose at the back post, his downward header twisting in off the base of the far post for 2-0.

Ahkeem Rose, left, runs towards the jubilant Weymouth fans after scoring at Dover (Image: MARK PROBIN)

With Weymouth’s fans in raptures, the visitors had to be alert as David Sesay cut out a Miles Judd cross before Weymouth wasted a golden chance for a third.

Blair’s interception from Freddie Oliver set up a three-on-two break but Rose could only blaze over from 15 yards under pressure.

Ash, easily man of the match at this point, showed his trademark tenacity in hounding Paxman out of possession before nearly assisting O’Connell with a wonderful volley.

Carlyle then sliced a Jordan Higgs effort for a corner in a brief scare for Weymouth, who were lucky not to concede just before the break.

Judd’s cross was flicked away by Bearwish but Luke Wanadio bulleted a first-time effort against the bar with Benfield beaten.

Dover, who were now reliant on Dulwich’s game with Chippenham to stay up, subbed on Brandon Pierrick for Luke Baptiste but instead it was Weymouth who created the first chance of the half.

Max Hemmings won a brave header in midfield to supply O’Connell and he in turn fed Ash who drifted inside and curled inches wide of the far post.

Dover reacted by making a second change, introducing George Wilkinson for Oliver, moments before George Nikaj headed Wanadio’s cross over.

That was Nikaj’s last action as he made way for Josh Ajayi on 65 minutes but Weymouth continued to threaten as O’Connell spun into the area and teed up Rose who firmly shot straight at Nelson.

Weymouth were incensed as reckless challenges from Wilkinson and Judd on Howe and Blair only earned yellow, before O’Connell pulled up injured and was replaced by Harvey Slade.

Keelan O'Connell hobbled off with an injury on 77 minutes (Image: MARK PROBIN)

Slade nearly made an instant impact as his header across goal was cleared, but Weymouth had to be wary at the other end as Higgs nodded wide unmarked from Judd’s cross.

And Weymouth should have buried Dover in the 89th minute as Rose’s lobbed through ball sent Blair away, only for Nelson to make an instinctive save.

Six added minutes jangled Weymouth nerves but the visitors saw the game out to record a famous escape act, having been seven points off safety with three games remaining.

Weymouth's players join the fans in celebrating their 2-0 win at Dover (Image: MARK PROBIN)

Dover: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Higgs, Wanadio, Martin, Sterling, Oliver (Wilkinson 55), Janjeva, Baptiste (Pierrick 46), Nikaj (Ajayi 65). Subs not used: Goodman, Brundle.

Terras: Benfield, Howe, Carlyle, Willson, Sesay, Bearwish, O'Connell (Slade 77), Hemmings, Ash, Rose (Monk 90+6), Blair. Subs not used: McBurnie, Kyprianou, Procter.

Referee: Aaron Farmer

Attendance: 1,509