BOSS Jason Matthews has reminded his players of the need to avoid the same sort of collapse in form that hit the Terras last season.

Weymouth were contenders for automatic promotion going into 2015 before falling away to finish outside the play-off places.

With Saturday’s game against Poole being postponed and wins for Redditch and Biggleswade, Matthews’ men dropped out of the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division top five.

However, a defeat of Paulton Rovers at the Athletic Ground in Somerset tonight (7.30pm) could see the Terras reclaim their position, although the likelihood of the clash going ahead because of the weather is “quite slim” in Matthews’ opinion.

Looking ahead to the fixture and how important a strong second half of the campaign will be, the Weymouth player-manager said: “We’ve got a clean bill of health. Pat Baldwin, Ben Thomson and I trained on Saturday so we’re pretty much at full strength.

“We know it won’t be easy and Paulton always make it difficult on their pitch.

“The chance of it being on is quite slim as they have had a hell of a lot of rain up there.

“It’s frustrating but we will still prepare properly as if it is going to be on.

“If it isn’t then it gives Ben Thomson’s hamstring another few days’ rest and we will start planning for Hitchin on Saturday.”

He continued: “We’re in a really strong position but we don’t want to fall short like we did last year.

“I’ve reiterated that fact to the players and they know what is expected of them.

“We’ve let the lads know that we have a points target in mind and they will be going all out to get that.”

And when asked if anything has been implemented to avoid a repeat of last season, he added: “I think we’ve done that with having a squad of players who are a bit stronger mentally.”

Jordan Copp, suspended for this evening’s match, scored two penalties when the Terras beat Paulton 4-1 at the Bob Lucas Stadium last August.

Stewart Yetton and Mark Molesley were also on target in a comfortable victory for the hosts on that occasion.

Paulton’s last game against Frome was called off but before that, on Boxing Day, they recorded their first away away success in the league this term, beating Bideford 1-0.

Despite that result, one which ended a run of five without a win, the Robins remain at the foot of the table on 14 points.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the league, just three points separate Redditch in third and ninth-placed Kettering.
Share article

“The league is very tight this season,” said Matthews. “You look at Redditch and Biggleswade, they were ninth or 10th before Saturday and one win has put them in the play-off positions.

“Poole have got a few points on everyone else but it’s about us keeping our house in order.”

Dorset Echo

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *