FA Cup second qualifying round: Sholing 1-4 Weymouth

WEYMOUTH 4

WEYMOUTH avoided a cup upset to lower league Sholing after running out 4-1 winners in the FA Cup second qualifying round

First half goals from Josh McQuoid and Charlie Rowan put Mark Molesley's side in a commanding position early on before the hosts pulled one back before the break.

However, strikes from Swansea City loanee Harry Jones and captain Tom Bearwish made sure of the points with a goal a piece.

The win sees Weymouth go into the hat for the next round and puts them one step closer to to the first round proper.

Molesley made one change from last weekend's win over Dorking Wanderers with Will Buse coming into goal as Gerard Benfield was cup-tied and Billy Terrell remains injured.

Keelan O'Connell also made a welcome return to the matchday squad having not played since getting injured in the 2-2 draw with Eastleigh in pre season as he came off the bench in the second half.

Weymouth FC forward Euan Pollock vs Sholing (Image: Mark Probin)

It was the home side who would carve out the first chance of the match though after Joe Rabbetts whipped in a ball from the left flank.

This was met by Brad Targett, but his volley was block and Jake Hesketh's follow up was easily gathered by Buse in the Terras goal.

Sholing come close moments later, again Rabbetts the creator, as he played in Charlie Gunson who found Dan Mason.

But Buse pulled out a good save to keep it at 0-0 in the opening ten minutes.

Weymouth's first chance came after a quick counter attack with Jordan Maguire-Drew getting on the end of it, but his shot was well saved by Ross Worner and was turned behind for a corner.

Then, with 16 minutes on the clock Josh McQuoid rounded Worner to finish into an empty net to give Molesley's side the lead.

Weymouth then doubled their tally for the afternoon on 20 minutes through Rowan who looped a header over Worner after connecting with a free kick.

Weymouth go into Monday's FA Cup draw after the win over Sholing (Image: Mark Probin)

The Terras were in complete control at this stage with Tom Bearwish coming close with a header before Robinson forced Gould into another save.

With half an hour played, Bearwish then found Pollock twice in quick succession but the striker was unable to find the back of the net on either occasion.

However, just before half time Sholing would claw one back through Gunson as the midfielder fired home from the edge of the box,

Buse will feel he could have done better with the save having fumbled it as Weymouth's search for their first clean sheet of the season continued.

After the break, some brilliant play from Sholing nearly saw the hosts draw level.

Mark Molesley's side have now won back-to-back games for the first team this season (Image: Mark Probin)

Targett's pinpoint ball through to Gunson was then set back to Flannigan whose cross was met by Hesketh, but his volley came crashing back off the bar.

Weymouth would restore their two goal advantage just before the hour mark thanks to substitute Harry Jones.

The on loan defender took a shot from the edge of the box but an awkward deflection wrong footed Worner as the ball flew into the net.

With 20 minutes to go O'Connell was brought on for Pollock, in what was a welcome sight for Molesley and the Terras fans, as he returned from injury.

Despite trailing by two goals Sholing were still in the game and with 15 minutes left they came close through Dan Mason, but his header flew just over the bar.

Targett then had a shot blocked as the home looked to make the final ten minutes a nervy affair.

Weymouth would wrap up the result though and secure their place into the next round of the competition thanks to an 85th minute strike from captain Bearwish. 

The midfielder was on hand to head home after connecting with a Brooklyn Genesini cross as Weymouth secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

The draw for the next round will take place on Monday, September 16 with ties to be played on Saturday, September 28.

WEYMOUTH: Buse. Hamblin, Thompson, Jordan, Brooks (Genesini 72), Robinson, McQuoid (Scrimshaw 60), Bearwish, Rowan, Pollock (O'Connell 72), Maguire-Drew (Touray 81)

SHOLING: Worner, Flannigan (Stedman 63), Miller, Taylor, Gunson, D.Mason (Wort 78), Hesketh (Monk 86), Targett, Rabbetts, Gardiner-Smith, Fitchett (Bustanmnte 63)