Pollock 15, Beardmore 17, Swann 57

WEYMOUTH bounced back from their first league defeat of the campaign to go back to the top of the Southern League Division One South table with an impressive 3-0 victory over Willand Rovers at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

First-half goals from Euan Pollock and Mitch Beardmore put Jamie Wells's side firmly in control before Tor Swann struck a superb third after the interval.

The result provided the perfect response for the Terras who slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Tiverton at the weekend, as they secured a clean sheet in front of a crowd of 660.

Wells made two changes from Saturday's defeat as Oakley Hanger and Sam Jackson were dropped to the bench with Kieran Douglas and Wes Fogden starting.

Weymouth took control of possession from the outset, although Rovers offered an early threat when former Bridport man Sol Ayunga drove through the middle before captain Bailey Kempster picked up the loose ball and saw his attempted shot blocked.

The Terras were creating the greater number of openings and their pressure eventually told after 15 minutes.

A corner caused confusion inside the Willand penalty area and Pollock reacted to lash the loose ball home from close range.

Barely had Rovers recovered when Weymouth struck again.

Another delivery into the penalty area found Beardmore, who produced a fine first-time finish to make it 2-0 in the 17th minute.

Weymouth threatened to put the contest beyond their visitors before the half-hour mark, with Toby Holmes heading narrowly over from a promising position.

Willand did begin to find their feet as the interval approached and enjoyed a better spell of possession, but the Terras remained dangerous and took a deserved two-goal advantage into half-time.

Rovers emerged with renewed purpose after the restart.

Joel Jackson tried his luck from distance before Zack Williams curled an effort from the edge of the penalty area which forced Weymouth goalkeeper Gerard Benfield into a quick save.

However, any hopes of a comeback were dealt a decisive blow in the 57th minute.

Pollock was involved again, this time turning provider with an excellent ball into the area.

Swann controlled the delivery before firing a superb finish into the top corner to make it 3-0, his sixth goal in as many games.

With a three-goal cushion established, Wells was able to freshen his side.

Will Keita and Brooklyn Genesini replaced Holmes and Swann before Sam Jackson and Oakley Hanger were introduced for Calvin Brooks and Pollock.

Willand enjoyed another spell of possession as the match entered its closing stages, but Weymouth continued to threaten.

The Terras launched another convincing attack which ended with substitute Rovers goalkeeper Harley Wilkinson being forced into a save as the hosts went in search of a fourth.

Weymouth comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to complete a convincing victory and clean sheet.

The result saw the Terras return to winning ways and move back to the top of the table on goal difference.

Next up is a trip to Slimbridge on Saturday.

Weymouth: Benfield, Hutchinson, Douglas, Bearwish (c), Holmes (Keita 68), Beardmore, Swann (Genesini 68), Brown, Pollock (Hanger 75), Brooks (Jackson 74), Fogden.

Sub not used: Dillon

Willand Rovers: Seedhouse-Evans (Wilkinson 46), Jackson, Horn, Reay (Hopwood 60), Rooke, Thomas, Kempster (c), Ayunga, Bateson (Down 71), Morgan (Bown 63), Williams.

Sub not used: Furzer