Local FA Trophy Round Up:
Hartpury FC 2 vs Weymouth 2: Weymouth win 4 to 3 on penalties.
The Terras found themselves up against a team of youngsters made up mostly of players released from the professional game. The visitors’ coaching staff pride themselves on returning 41 so far back into the pro game, and judging by their performance at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Saturday, there will soon be more to add to their tally.
Turning around at the break a goal apiece, the students’ management must have been cursing their luck that their young charges had not scored more as chance after chance went begging.
On the half hour, the students hit the post, then 10 minutes later they took the lead following a goalmouth scramble.
With half time looming and against the run of play, Brooklyn Genesini beat Seth Lock in the Hartpury goal with a strike from 25 yards out.
Following the turnaround, the Terras upped their game, but it was the visitors who restored their advantage in the 53rd minute, leaving the Weymouth defenders staring daggers at each other.
Weymouth began to press forwards and Hartpury were forced to defend in numbers; then in the 74th minute Mr Reliable Toby Holmes steered the ball past Locke to level the scores again despite the Hartpury players claiming there was a handball in the build-up to the goal.
Referee Cameron Davis consulted his assistant, then awarded the goal much to the dismay of the visitors’ players and coaches.
There was no further scoring, and penalties decided the result, with Gerard Benfield in the home goal saving two for the Terras and Locke one for the students.
Most people in the ground were in agreement that Hartpbury were the best side to visit the Bob Lucas Stadium this season, and as soon as they get more game time and improve their match fitness they will be a serious threat to any other club in the Southern League.`
However, Weymouth won despite not playing at their best and advanced to the next round.
Weymouth’s successful penalty takers were Holmes, Bearwish, Beardmore & Brown.
Portland United went out of the competition, beaten by 2 goals to nil at Grove Corner by visitors Thame United.
Bridport progress into next week’s FA Vase draw, beating Badshot Lea at St. Mary’s by 3 goals to 1.
Kieran Daniels, Callun Arnold & Sebastian Woods all scored a goal each for the Bees.
Sunday Women’s Football:
Feniton 1 vs Ridgeway 1. Ridgeway scorer: Chloe Oldrid.
Weymouth 5 vs Bridport 1. Weymouth scorers: Coral Stephens, Frankie Townsend, Laura Seymour, Freya Goodhew & Ellia Webb.
To view pictures of the Weymouth vs Hartpury match follow this link: idrismartin.wordpress.com
