Late leveller from Weymouth’s Tom Bearwish ensures derby day replay in the FA Cup

Birthday boy Tom Bearwish scored a 94th-minute equaliser for Weymouth in the FA Cup fourth preliminary round to force a replay against bitter rivals Yeovil.

Bearwish had his birthday wishes granted as he grabbed a last-minute equaliser against arch-rivals Yeovil at Huish Park.

Charlie Wakefield gave the Glovers the lead in the 12th minute but the Terras’ attacker marked his 22nd birthday with a goal that ensured Weymouth enter the First Round draw for the first time in 14 years.

Both sides will face off again in the replay on Tuesday evening at the Bob Lucas Stadium knowing that a trip to either Dover Athletic or Yate Town awaits in the First Round of the competition.

Birthday delight for Bearwish

Bearwish reignited the magic of the FA Cup once again as the forward came off the bench in the 86th minute to save the Terras.

The 22-year-old has struggled for regular game time this season but made the most of his opportunity when it came by scoring against Weymouth’s arch-rivals.

The forward also hopes that the goal will force him into manager Brian Stock’s plans for the future.

“It was just a little tap in but it feels amazing to come on and score against Yeovil away from home. To silence the home crowd and for it to come on my birthday as well makes it extra special for me.

“Whether I start or whether I come off the bench, I’m always looking to make an impact and tonight I did.

“Hopefully the gaffer sees that, but either way I’m always happy to get on the pitch.”

Despite the late leveller, Weymouth manager Brian Stock refused to get carried away with individual performances and insisted the squad need to remain focused to ensure they finish the task in midweek.

“Today was probably the strongest since I’ve been here, we were able to select seven subs and even you look at the quality left out of the squad, it’s a good headache for the manager to have.

“Bearwish came on with not long left to make an impact and he has, he’s a local lad and I’m super pleased for him because he’s had to wait for his opportunities but whenever he’s been called upon he’s always given 100 percent effort.

“At the end of the day, we’re a team and we have a good bunch here, we win together, we lose together and today we’ve drawn together.

“We can’t get carried away we’ve still got a job on our hands, we need to make sure we don’t take our eye off Yeovil on Tuesday.

“The draw is irrelevant to us unless we make it past them, so we have to keep focused and be ready.”

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