BEING billed as the underdogs is something Terras’ player-manager Jason Matthews is perfectly happy with ahead of his side’s FA Trophy third qualifying round tie at Hemel Hempstead Town tomorrow (3pm).
The Terras are set to hit the road once again in the Trophy, having sealed away victories against Winchester City and Bedford Town to book their battle against the Tudors.
Speaking ahead of their clash against higher level opposition Hemel, who currently sit 12th in National League South having stormed to the Southern Premier League title during the 2013/14 season, Matthews told Echosport: “For once, it will probably be the first time that we will go somewhere as the underdogs.
“We will go there with the pressure off and enjoy it. We want to put in a good performance and it would be nice to give them a good game but I am under no illusions that it will be tough.
“We have done our homework on Hemel and I won’t be changing the way we play too much. We have a set system with the way we play.”
One change Weymouth will be forced to make is a switch in the heart of their defence as Pat Baldwin serves a one game ban.
That could mean that player-coach Chris McPhee may drop into the back four or Jake Wannell could come into the starting XI.
“Pat Baldwin has five bookings so he is suspended. We still have a squad of 16 or 17 to choose from,” Matthews added.
“We have quite a few options and I haven’t quite made my mind up as to what I am going to do but there are a lot of people who are knocking on the door that are on the bench at the moment who have done extremely well.”
The Terras’ chief also remains out with a heel problem, meaning AFC Bournemouth loanee Jordan Holmes is set to keep his place between the sticks.
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On his injury, Matthews added: “I haven’t made as quick progress as I would have liked and I will probably be looking to investigate it further and get a scan on it to check it fully.”
Tomorrow’s clash also sees the winner pouch £4,000 in prize money.