WEYMOUTH 0

TAUNTON TOWN 0

WEYMOUTH narrowly escaped an embarrassing early exit from the FA Cup at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Facing a Taunton Town side lying 13th in the league below, the Terras had to rely on last-ditch interventions from Sam Poole and Ryan McKechnie, and a string of fine blocks from keeper Tom Manley to keep them in the competition, much to the frustration of a disappointed home crowd.

A forlorn Brendon King refused to make excuses for the below-par display, describing it as unacceptable in his post-match Press conference.

The Terras’ boss said: “It was really frustrating. In the first half we were nowhere near it. We were second to the ball, our passing was poor and our touch was poor.

“We looked nothing like the team that won at Circencester Town last Tuesday night, it was completely different.

“We spoke before the game about approaching it in the right manner and being professional but whether some of them still went out there thinking it would be easy I do not know. If they did then they now need to take a good look at themselves.

“We had a bit of a go at them during half-time and in the second half our performance was slightly better but not by much.

“We passed the ball better and put together one or two neat moves but overall our performance was nowhere near enough and in the end we were lucky to get away with it.”

King made two changes to the starting XI that won at Cirencester and both were enforced.

Tim Stephenson missed out due to a slight knee injury while Byron Napper’s absence came down to an administrative error.

Ollie Tribe returned to the side at right-back while new signing Craig Duff came in for his debut in the centre of midfield alongside Richard Marshallsay.

The game also marked a first home appearance for Sam Malsom, who partnered top-scorer Warren Byerley up front.

The two teams took to the field in driving rain but it soon subsided and within 35 seconds the Terras had already registered the first shot on target with Malsom’s dipping volley finding the gloves of Chris Astley.

Manley then made a fine save at the feet of Craig Veal at the other end before Weymouth skipper Ben Gerring saw a header from a corner pushed on to the bar by Astley, with Byerley nodding over the rebound.

It was certainly a lively start and although the hosts were enjoying more of the possession, their backline looked edgy with a wayward defensive header almost putting a goal on a plate for Veal at the far post, only for Manley to once again provide the barrier.

Marshallsay then headed over from a corner as the end-to-end nature of the opening exchanges showed no sign of relenting.

Veal continued to look the Peacocks’ biggest threat and on 25 minutes he escaped the attention of the Terras’ defence once again but his 16-yard strike was comfortably fisted over the top by Manley.

Weymouth looked clueless in possession with Taunton more than happy to sit deep and counter-attack after the inevitable misplaced pass or hopeful punt.

And it was from another such breakaway down the right flank that Veal put Ross McNabb through. He nodded the ball past the onrushing Manley but was unable to get there before the retreating Tribe, who cleared for a corner.

Town then had two shouts for a penalty turned down by referee Richard Hulme. Both were for handball with the first one having looked more credible but the visitors were left frustrated, especially after Darren Rice had also prodded just wide.

The Terras’ faithful were clearly expecting their side to come out a lot more fired up in the second half but King’s men remained passive as Town continued to press with Rodney Marsh dragging a 20-yard shot just wide of the target.

The same player was then denied by a fantastic block from Manley, following a fine through ball from Jon Vance, as the home fans began to vent their frustration.

King responded by sending on Matt Groves for Mitch Conning on 62 minutes.

The player/assistant manager partnered Byerley up front, with Malsom moving to the right flank, and moments later Stephen Reed sent a shot wide as the hosts slowly began to raise their game.

Veal was still threatening on the break though with Manley making another timely interception before his opposite number Astley made a brave save at the feet of Duff, following a dangerous cross from the right from Byerley.

Entering the final 10 minutes, an edgy atmosphere descended on the ground as Town began probing again with substitute Alex Pounde being thwarted by a last-ditch block from Poole after Vance’s free-kick had ricocheted through the defensive wall.

Byerley then went close to getting on the end of a cross from Reed before Pounde looked clear again, only for the retreating McKecknie to make another superb game saving challenge to ensure the Terras a second bite at the cherry.

Terras: Manley, Tribe, Dixon, Gerring, Poole, Duff, Reed, Marshallsay, Conning (Groves 62), Byerley, Malsom (McKechnie 83). Subs not used: Povall, Murray, King.

Taunton: Astley, Painter, Cole, McGrath, P Veal, Vance, Butler, C Veal (Blake 78), MacNab (Pounde 78), Marsh, Rice. Subs not used: Lewis, Short, Stone, Ingram, Legg.

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