Tom,
If you have a scrape piece that is a little bigger than the tearout spot, just cut it out with a utility knife and glue the patch in.
Actually you would need to split the patch to just the thin layer that is the species for the finished side. (hope this makes sense to you) Then you put that over the bad area and cut through it and into the sidewall far enought to go throught the laminated surface. This creates a perfect patch. Glue it in and lightly sand it.
I have used this method on many woodworking projects and with a little patience, it will be invisible.
I really just finished reading the rest of this thread and what I am saying is just what GeorgeT allready said. Guess I should read more carefully before jumping in to answer.
Kerry