WEYMOUTH’S two huge derby encounters against rivals Dorchester and Poole over the festive period could be the defining moments of their season, according to chief Jason Matthews.
The Terras lock horns with Mark Jermyn’s Magpies at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Boxing Day (3pm) before making the trip to Tatnam to face the Dolphins a week later.
Matthews’ men currently occupy the final play-off place in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division but have a whole host of sides breathing down their necks hoping to finish in the top five.
And they know that if Dorchester get the better of them for a second time this season on Saturday then the county town club will be just a point behind in the standings.
Reflecting on that 1-0 loss to Jermyn’s troops in August and looking ahead to Boxing Day, Matthews said: “We let ourselves down a little bit at Dorchester.
“It wasn’t through lack of effort, it was just the way we applied ourselves.
“It’s now time to right those wrongs, and we know how much it means to the fans that we do that.
“Everyone is looking forward to Saturday and we are all really up for the game.
“Jem has done a great job at Dorchester but we are desperate to beat them.
“We know what sort of game to expect and it’s about making sure my team is ready to go into battle.
“We have conceded very few this season, the least in the league, so I think if we can keep a clean sheet we will win the game.
“You wouldn’t want your rivals to do the double over you.”
Commenting on the next two fixtures, he went on to add: “It’s a really tough Christmas period for us with two local derbies.
“We need to be on it in both of them as they could define our season.
“We’ve got some experienced players and it’s time for them to step up and get the result.”
Matthews and striker Ben Thomson are both out of the Dorchester encounter through injury.
