Terrras Run Continues - Weymouth vs. Royston Town

Touchline tussle in front of the main stand

After last week's enforced dip into league football I was looking forward to getting back to non league and with Monday off work I was able to look a bit further for a game. I opted to head to Weymouth as I had enjoyed my stay there when I saw Portland last season and had been keen to see a game at their Bob Lucas Stadium. Today they were playing Royston Town in what was a pivotal game in the race for the play offs in The Southern League Premier Division. Weymouth started the day in third place, fourteen points ahead of Royston just outside the play offs in sixth but the visitors have four games in hand. I have visited Royston's Garden Walk on two previous occasions. Once for an FA Vase tie with Tipton Town and again for a play off semi final with Barton Rovers. Weymouth were on a run of four consecutive victories which included the reverse fixture just three weeks ago.

Finally there was decent weather on a Saturday

At the start of the game, Weymouth are trying to be a bit too cute and are almost caught out when they give the ball away but Royston fail to take advantage. The visitors then manage to get in on goal before lashing the ball over the bar. It is Weymouth who get the first goal as Royston this time give the ball away and the ensuing break results in the forward hammering a low shot across the keeper and into the net. Things soon get worse for the visitors as they are reduced to ten for what I assume was decent. Weymouth now look to cement their advantage and the ball is put over the bar following a pull back from the byline. Just before half they get their second goal. A great passing move sees the forward collect the ball before cutting in and powering in the second.

One nil Weymouth

Royston are almost gifted a chance to get back into the game as Weymouth are sloppy in possession but the eventual shot is blocked. Weymouth then come close to getting the killer third as they break out following a Royston corner and the keeper is forced into a great save to keep out a great long range effort. Royston continue to try and get back into the match although none of the high balls seriously trouble the Weymouth goalie. Royston are then reduced to nine men as the player goes for a high fifty / fifty ball with his feet, kicking the Weymouth player in the head and he is sent off. Weymouth complete the victory as the forward is played in before slotting home. 

Chasing a through ball in the first half

It takes a long time to get to Weymouth from Waterloo - just under three hours - but is just about doable in a day. Once you get there you need to take the number three bus from The King's Statue to Radipole Lane which takes twenty or so minutes. Then it is a five minute walk down the hill to the ground. Weymouth is a great place to visit and I'd recommend spending the night to see it properly. There are a lot of good bars and restaurants around the harbour and Brewers Quay where there is The Red Lion which had a good choice of ales. If you want some where to catch the early kick off before the bus then The Gloucester does the job. The bar at the ground under the main stand had the usual selection of drinks. It was another great weekend in Weymouth, the welcome at the ground and in the town in general was fantastic. 

Weymouth look to finish the job in the second half