HUNGERFORD TOWN 1
Hopper 17
WEYMOUTH 3
Byerley 11, Groves 20, 85
GOALS from Warren Byerley and Matt Groves saw Weymouth pull off a stunning victory at Bulpit Lane last night in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.
The victory not only saw the Terras end the Evo-Stik Division One South & West leaders’ 12-game unbeaten start to the season but it also chalked up a third away win on the spin – a feat the club last achieved back in October 2007.
Add that to a tie at AFC Totton in the next round on October 15 and a cash boost to the tune of £4,500, and it was clearly a very good evening for the Southern Premier outfit and in particular boss Brendon King, who has come under fire in recent weeks from a small section of the club’s supporters.
The delighted manager said afterwards: “We were fantastic and had it not been for their keeper, who made some world-class saves, it would have been six or seven.
“We created lots of chances and limited them to very few, and the work-rate we put in throughout the game was superb.
“Although the financial side of things is very important for the club, for the players and the coaching staff tonight was more about getting through to the next round of the most famous club competition in the world.
“Totton are top of our league and have had a great start to the season but there is no reason why we cannot go there and get a result.
“First though, we have to concentrate on another big game at Banbury United this coming Saturday.”
Despite seeing his attacking options boosted by the long-awaited return of winger Jamie Beasley from suspension, King opted to keep faith with the same starting XI that began the first meeting between the two clubs with Byerley taking over the captaincy from Ben Gerring.
Hungerford also named an unchanged line-up but it was the visitors that made the brighter start with Stephen Reed testing keeper Stuart Moore early on with a fine strike from 20 yards.
The Terras looked hungry and on 11 minutes they got the breakthrough their early endeavour deserved when Byerley slotted home a rebound after Groves had been denied by a fine save.
However, just like last Saturday, going behind immediately woke Hungerford up and six minutes later they levelled when Nicholas Ogba-nufe’s terrific pass put in Luke Hopper.
The talented forward shrugged off Ollie Tribe and then rounded Tom Manley before slipping the ball into an empty net to the dismay of the travelling fans.
That clearly signalled game on but the Terras barely flinched and immediately went up the other end and regained their lead through a sweet volley from Groves from 10 yards.
Visiting winger Sam Malsom then went close with two free-kicks in the space of a couple minutes. The first was deflected just wide while the second was brilliantly plucked out of the top corner from Moore after Jon Boardman had been cautioned for a poor tackle on Byerley.
With the hosts looking all at sea, Weymouth then wasted an even better opening when Byron Napper’s cross into the box was nodded down by Byerley, only for Groves to miss the target from eight yards with Moore completely stranded.
It was a golden opportunity and another one went begging four minutes before the break when Malsom was denied from close-range by a wonder save from Moore, who somehow kept the ball out with his legs when it looked a certain goal.
The Terras trudged into the half-time break knowing full well they should have probably put the game beyond their opponents but with the deficit still only one it set up an intriguing second half.
It was much tighter after the break with both teams methodically probing for openings and it was Town that missed the first of them on 57 minutes when Jamie Gosling blazed over from six yards.
Moore then pulled off a fine save to stop another strike from Reed before somehow keeping out Groves at point-blank range after Sam Poole had headed the ball back across the box from a free-kick.
The Reading loanee was clearly keeping Hungerford in the game and on 68 minutes he produced his best save of the lot by tipping over a stunning 20-yard volley from Byerley to the relief of his team-mates, who were clearly reeling.
Weymouth continued to look on top but moments later they were hit with a warning when substitute Youssef Bamba headed a great chance wide from Gosling’s superbly delivered free-kick.
Moore then denied Byerley by pushing his shot around a post before Groves finally put the result beyond doubt on 85 minutes with an overhead kick from eight yards following a cross from Craig Duff.
Beasley came off the bench in the closing stages, which saw Manley pull off a brave save to thwart substitute David Murphy, as the Terras went on to celebrate a glorious victory in style at the final whistle.
Terras: Manley, Tribe, Dixon, Gerring, Poole, Napper, Duff (Marshallsay 90), Reed, Malsom (Beasley 86), Byerley, Groves (McKechnie 88). Subs not used: Povall, Murray.
Bookings: Hungerford – Boardman (foul 26).
Weymouth – None.
Referee: A Matthews
Attendance: 214.
* Tickets are still available for tomorrow night’s sportsman’s dinner with ex-England and Southampton star Matt Le Tissier at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
The evening starts at 7.30pm and includes entertainment from comedian Jay McGhee, a raffle, an auction, and a three-course meal.
Admission is £40 plus VAT or £375 plus VAT for a table of 10.
To find out more contact Jamie Austin by calling 07824663649 or emailing james7wfc@live.co.uk
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