WEYMOUTH manager Mark Molesley believes the Terras have the opportunity to show their “mettle” in their Evo-Stik Southern Premier League clash at Frome Town tonight (7.45pm).
Molesley’s men lost their first game of the new campaign 1-0 at home to St Ives, having previously called for the Bob Lucas Stadium to be a “fortress” this season.
Now the Weymouth boss is grateful for the chance to eradicate that result from the memory, just four days afterwards, but is anticipating a “tough” game against Frome.
He told Echosport: “Frome are a very strong side. Notoriously Weymouth don’t do so well up at Frome. They finished just outside the play-offs last year. It’s going to be a tough game but it’s a chance for us to show our mettle.
“It’s a game that can’t come quick enough. We weren’t up to our usual standards. It’s good to have a game so quickly to try and right the wrongs of Saturday.”
Asked whether the Terras’ performance against St Ives surprised him, Molesley admitted it did.
“I think it did, it took us all a bit by surprise. You have to draw a line through it. The quicker we get points on the board, the better from our point of view.
“I believe in the players and I’m sure we’ll get back to winning ways before too long,” he said.
Molesley added that everyone at the club was “disappointed” following the loss, but also felt the Terras were unlucky not to have been given a foul for a shove on goalkeeper Nick Thomas.
“Obviously everyone was disappointed that it didn’t go our way. We’re hoping it was just an off day. It’s important to say that we weren’t at our best.
“We’ve had a good look at the goal. Our goalie was pushed in the back. It’s a goal that shouldn’t have been allowed, but it’s no excuse.
“Sometimes there’s a little bit of a lack of experience there as well to make sure that the referee knows you’re getting fouled.
“If the referee had seen the foul he would have had a clean sheet so it wouldn’t have been as bad as it looked to be honest,” he said.
Weymouth also struggled to create clear-cut chances on Saturday, prompting Molesley to call for “improvements” to be made up front.
He said: “We need to show improvements in that area. I’m sure once the players get back on the ball and find their confidence we’ll be fine. Our foundations are built on hard work and hopefully our football will come out.”
Molesley also expects the Terras to have just Mark Travers and Toby Down absent from their squad for the trip to Somerset.
“At the moment we’re pretty much as we were. Mark is unavailable. We’re hoping to have him back before too long.
“Toby has injured his toe. He’s got good care at Exeter. Hopefully it’s more of a short term thing than long term,” he said.
