Weymouth 6 - 1 The University of Portsmouth

Weymouth 6 - 1 The University of Portsmouth

Following their 9-2 victory at Blandford & Sturminster last Saturday, Weymouth inflicted another heavy defeat, this week with a 6-1 win over the University of Portsmouth.

From the immediate outset the hosts established themselves as favourites, demonstrating a different class to the students. First blood was drawn roughly 10 minutes in as skipper Simon Harvey swept in a rebound after forward Patrick May forced a save from the Portsmouth keeper at a penalty corner. Shortly after, Weymouth had a goal disallowed when an earlier shot was deemed to have been off target and therefore dangerous, but it wasn’t long until they extended their lead further with two goals from Luke Drewitt.

Drewitt’s first came from a penalty corner routine that continues to prove successful for the Seasiders this season. Of the two runners at the back post it was Drewitt who deflected in from May’s accurate assist. His second came from open play as a result of consistent pressure from the Weymouth press. Drewitt intercepted a pass intended for Portsmouth’s left full back and, although looking to repay May with an assist of his own, his pass to the back post took a slight deflection from a defender sending it into the back of the net.

Weymouth showed no signs of tiring from the restart and their relentless pressure continued. Christopher Fry notched the fourth for the Seasiders, again trying to pick out May at the far post. This time the Portsmouth keeper intercepted but fortunately for Fry the rebound found his stick allowing him a simple tap in.

Much of the play was now in the visitors’ half and, although the Weymouth back line were allowed to camp high up the pitch, consequently space was limited as the hosts looked to further extend their lead.

The goals kept coming however, the fourth from a brilliant individual display from Matthew Lawes. With his first touch following a rolling substitution, Lawes took possession just inside the opposition half on the left. Great close control allowed the moustachioed midfielder to jink past a number of opposition players on his way towards goal. He was eventually forced onto his strong side at the top of the circle but opened up to get his shot off and beat the keeper at the right post with a hard and accurate strike. Much to his team’s amusement Lawes then immediately rolled back onto the substitutes’ bench.

Weymouth keeper David Civil finally saw his first action of the game with a save from a penalty corner. Unfortunately the ball rebounded into a defender’s body and a subsequent penalty corner was awarded, from which the visitors scored their only goal of the game, thereby denying the Seasiders a clean sheet.

Some sloppy tackling leading to a temporary suspension for the Portsmouth captain then allowed Weymouth a further advantage for the final moments of the game. During this period the Seasiders scored the final goal. Not content to allow his brother too much of an advantage in total goals for the season, Sam Drewitt, in similar fashion to younger brother Luke for his second goal, pressured the Portsmouth back line and turned over possession. Drewitt senior dribbled into the circle and sold the same defender he had dispossessed with a dropped shoulder turning to his left from where he executed an accurate reverse hit to beat the goalkeeper.

With seconds remaining Fry was sin-binned for a late tackle but with the damage done he could retire to the bin without too much concern.

As a result, Weymouth moved up to fourth in the table, their highest position this season. They now face a tough run of games, however, playing 2nd placed Haslemere away this Saturday and 1st placed Andover at home the following weekend. To make matters worse the team will likely be fielding an inexperienced side due to the unavailability of a number of regular players.

Goals: Harvey, L. Drewitt, Fry, Lawes, S. Drewitt

Yellow cards: Christopher Fry

Man of the match: Luke Drewitt