Chippenham Town 1-1 Weymouth: Harry Parsons scores on debut

Mehew 19

WEYMOUTH 1

Parsons 51

WEYMOUTH collected a ninth Vanarama National League South draw of the season as debutant Harry Parsons handed the Terras a share of the points against Chippenham Town.

Parsons cancelled out Tom Mehew’s opener, but Weymouth bossed the second half as Brandon Goodship hit the woodwork and Tom Bearwish was denied by a stupendous save by Will Henry.

It means the Terras slip to 19th after Truro’s 3-2 win at Weston-super-Mare.

Weymouth boss Bobby Wilkinson opted for four changes from the side that began last weekend's 2-0 loss to Hendon in the FA Trophy.

READ MORE: Chippenham Town 1-1 Weymouth - how it happened

Calvin Brooks began a two-game suspension, while captain Bearwish dropped to the bench along with Ezio Touray. Elliott Bolton misses out from the squad entirely.

Jordon Thompson returned to the starting line-up after his own two-game suspension, while Joel Rollinson and Charlie Rowan earned recalls, the latter after a calf strain.

And there was a debut for striker Parsons, who on Thursday joined on loan from National League side Maidenhead United.

The forward was tasked with helping to end a nine-year wait for a Weymouth victory at Hardenhuish Park, the Terras’ last coming courtesy of a Tim Sills-inspired 3-2 win.

However, Chippenham had not lost in four home games against Weymouth since, winning the previous three.

The Bluebirds did have early defending to do when Rollinson worked an opening, only for Dan Ellison to close him down.

Terras’ keeper Gerard Benfield was then caught in two minds with a cross, Thompson tidying up before Dan Roberts, arguably Weymouth’s most impressive player in the first half, saw his counter cut off.

Parsons, meanwhile, was starved of service in the first half, illustrated by Goodship’s overhit cross.

The incident preceded the opening goal as Ellison’s heavy tackle on Roberts won possession back for the Bluebirds, allowing Ed Williams to tee up Mehew for 1-0 on 19 minutes.

Weymouth conceded the opener after a heavy tackle on Dan Roberts, foreground (Image: MARK PROBIN)

Chippenham controlled the game for the next ten minutes and Weymouth needed Benfield to prevent 2-0, beating clear Caine Bradbury’s 20-yard drive.

Weymouth ended the half strongly, however.

The Terras threatened with two headers in two minutes, Roberts working Henry before Rowan flashed wide from the resultant corner.

And Roberts caused concern for Chippenham again when Goodship won a free-kick and the striker fired low at Henry without reward.

Weymouth began the second half positively too, although an early free-kick went to waste after Ellison received the game’s first booking.

The Terras took just six minutes of the half to find an equaliser, though, as Parsons beat Henry with his first chance of the game, showing the mark of a good striker and why Weymouth were so keen to sign him.

Harry Parsons scored on his Weymouth debut (Image: MARK PROBIN)

Wilkinson sniffed blood and brought on Bearwish for Olu Durojaiye, before Benfield showed alacrity to push away Ed Williams’ attempt, giving way to a goalline scramble that Weymouth eventually cleared.

The chances were part of a breathless ten minutes, heightened when Goodship wobbled the crossbar with a rasping long-range drive on the hour.

Brandon Goodship went close to giving Weymouth the lead (Image: MARK PROBIN)

And Bearwish himself went close with a deflected half-volley before Parsons slipped as he pulled the trigger.

Bearwish forced Henry into a near-miraculous save on 70 minutes, before the goalkeeper, quickly becoming Chippenham’s man of the match, twice kept out O’Connell.

Weymouth survived a penalty shout at the other end before Wilkinson handed 11 minutes to top-scorer Touray at the expense of Parsons.

With five minutes to go, another big chance fell Weymouth’s way, this time to Touray, but the striker fired over to the relief of the hosts.

Referee Tom Ellsmore signalled for five added minutes after Roberts’ shot was blocked and Chippenham had the first chance, sub Tom Owen-Evans heading at Benfield.

Luke Spokes blazed a long-range effort over and Weymouth slammed a free-kick into the wall, the Terras having to settle for a point after a catalogue of chances.

Chippenham: Henry, Jones, Grant, Fasanmade, Amadi-Holloway, Ellison, Mehew, Spokes, Bradbury (Owen-Evans 78), E Williams, N Williams (McClure 64). Subs not used: Haines, Nicholls, King.

Terras: Benfield, Howe, Hamblin, Cook, Jo Thompson, Durojaiye (Bearwish 53), Roberts, Goodship (O’Connell 64), Rollinson, Parsons (Touray 79), Rowan. Subs not used: Cheshire, Bolton.

Referee: Tom Ellsmore.