WEYMOUTH manager Mark Molesley praised his side’s “good character” after a superb 3-1 win over former Evo-Stik Southern League Premier leaders Kettering at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Goals from Ben Thomson, Jordan Rose and Harry Baker helped the Terras overcome the Poppies after Callum Buckley’s unfortunate own goal had put the visitors 1-0 up.

After watching his team come back to earn their first home win of the season, Molesley admitted he was “really proud of the players”.

He said: “I was really proud of the players. We showed two different types of game in one. First half I thought we were excellent on the ball, we really moved it and created a number of chances.

“Obviously we gave them the goal which was disappointing, but to come back and show the bravery to get on the ball after a mess-up from ourselves showed good character.

“Second half the game changed a bit, they mixed their game up and they’ve got some good players, which is why they’re top of the league,” he said.

“They went direct and we had to weather some corners and some tough bits of pressure from them.

“But on the flip side I thought we always posed a threat on the counter attack and we were unlucky not to score more.

“So I’ve seen a good performance on the ball in the first half and a good resolute, strong performance in the second half without the ball,” he added.

Molesley felt the Terras “needed” Ben Thomson’s equaliser after 28 minutes having seen Weymouth create several opportunities and fail to score.

He said: “I think we needed it because we created quite a few chances. There were probably quite a few people thinking was this going to be our day or not?

“But there’s a real belief in our squad. We feel that we’ve got good quality and if keep trying to do the right things and show the right attitude we’re confident we can get a result.”

Having called for the Terras’ faithful to support his side before the match, Molesley was full of praise for the way they backed Weymouth throughout.

“That’s the difference, with the crowd behind us the place does rock.

“We really got into the ascendancy in the first half and we were buoyed and cheered on by the crowd and I think everyone could sense that,” he said.

Last week’s hat-trick hero Harry Baker grabbed a late goal to settle the game and Molesley believes the competition for places up front is “pushing everyone”.

“Harry’s probably feeling disappointed that maybe he didn’t get a start but Ben’s scoring goals and you’ve got Brandon (Goodship) scoring so there’s competition for places and it’s pushing everyone.

“Thommo’s in good form at the moment and he knows Harry’s right behind him. I think that’s great.

“We’ve got quality in the squad rather than quantity, but there is competition for places and everyone’s got to be working and fighting for that shirt and I think that showed.

“It was vital that we started the game well and also we could end the game well and we certainly did that with our two subs (Charlie Davis and Baker) who I thought had a big impact in sealing that victory for us,” he said.

“The third goal was made through Charlie and Harry and just getting that extra bit of energy on the pitch. Everyone’s itching to play and everyone knowsw that they’ve sometimes got to be patient,” he added.

Molesley also gave credit to marauding right wing-back Calvin Brooks, who was a constant menace to the Poppies throughout the game.

He said: “Calvin had great energy up and down. He defends well and I thought the header at the back post showed that and then his creation, he was unlucky not to get a penalty.

“He was too honest and stayed on his feet. He was stumbling all over the place and somehow kept his feet. It was a good performance.

“But it would be hard to pick out individuals for me. I thought collectively and in their units they worked really well together.”

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