Elliot Richards scored a magnificent goal for Merthyr Town at the Bob Lucas Stadium in Weymouth, but his team still slumped to a 3-2 defeat.

Caerphilly-born former Wales under-21 international Richards smashed a fierce shot home just after the hour. He fired just inside the angle of post and bar from 30 yards.

“That was the best goal we’ve seen at our stadium all season,” said Weymouth assistant manager Paul Maitland.

Richards, who started his career at Bristol Rovers and also played for Tranmere, Cheltenham and Tampa Bay Rowdies, netted to make the score 2-2 and at that stage a draw looked likely.

But with three minutes left Weymouth striker Brandon Goodship, 23, completed his hat-trick and earned the Terras a fifth successive Southern League victory.

“That was our best performance this season and we deserved the three points,” said Goodship. “I’m delighted with my hat-trick and enjoying myself in this team. The boys were excellent and every player is pulling their weight.”

Merthyr opened the scoring after 25 minutes when Ian Traylor chipped the goalkeeper from 20 yards, while Goodship equalised from a penalty just before the break.

Curtis McDonald was booked for a foul and the Weymouth striker finished clinically from the spot.

Goodship scored his second 10 minutes before a cracking strike by Richards made it 2-2.

Traylor had hit a post earlier and it seemed the Martyrs had a real chance of returning to South Wales with a point, but the experienced Matt Tubbs chested down a cross for Godship to complete his treble with three minutes left.

Merthyr striker Stuart Fleetwood returned to play against his former club, having scored 17 goals in 31 appearances for them last season.

Weymouth are now fourth in the Premier Division table, while the Martyrs remained seventh.

They go to Hitchin Town on Saturday, while Stratford Town visit the Loadlok Community Stadium on Tuesday, October 24 before Merthyr travel to Redditch United for their first match in November.

Weymouth: Travers, Brooks, Buckley, Wells, Down, Carmichael, Davis, McCarthy, Thomson (Baker 70), Goodship, Wakefield (Tubbs 70). Subs not used: Sa, Seabright, S Stewart

Merthyr Town: O Davies, A Davies, McDonald, Evans (Copp 88), Wright, R Patten, Jenkins, K Patten, Fleetwood (Touray 82), Richards, Traylor (Morgan 68). Subs not used: Bowen, Tancock

Referee: Scott Robinson (Barnstaple)

Attendance: 527