Slough Town defeat will be seen as a measuring stick for Weymouth manager Mark Molesley.
The Terras suffered a 3-0 defeat away to the in-form Rebels at Arbour Park, who have lost just two games all season.
Molesley said: “I think going forward in the season it is a great measuring stick to see where we are against probably the best side in the league so it gives us food for thought, something to aim for.”
The goals came in the 24th, 40th and 86th minute to condemn the Terras to their first defeat in three matches.
Molesley thinks the Terras will try to learn learn and move forward, saying: “We’ve got to try and bridge that gap between ourselves and them. It’s just a matter of refocusing and carrying on trying to improve and learn from the lessons of today.”
The Terras boss felt the team had started well in the match but rued a spell where his side lost their way.
He said: “I thought we started the game well, a couple of chances one cleared off the line started quite bright but then unfortunately we lost our way in the half. And we didn’t take responsibility out there for the second part of the first half.”
Molesley acknowledged the performance of the Rebels, saying: “Slough are a very good attacking side, we have to give them credit. We were up against a good side today.
“Slough are one of the best in the league if not the best and at times they showed why they are where they are.”
The Terras pushed further forward in the second half but couldn’t find a goal and were unfortunately caught out on the break in the 86th minute.
Molesley said: “We ended up keeping possession for too long in dangerous areas really I think that’s the crux of it. We needed to be a bit more offensive.”
After the defeat Molesley is looking to bounce back in the Terras next match, a rescheduled fixture against Totton in the BigFreeBet.com Challenge Cup.
Molesley said: “After a defeat like today you’re always going to be hurting so it’s important to bounce back as quickly as we can. So we will be looking for a reaction immediately on Tuesday.”
Ashley Wells missed the match against the Rebels after suffering an injury against Tiverton Town and it isn’t known how long he will be out for while Calvin Brooks and Brandon Goodship missed the match due to injury.
New signing James Hayter made his debut after signing from Havant & Waterlooville on a one month loan on Friday.
Assistant manager Paul Maitland praised the new signing, saying: “He was unlucky, a couple of the crosses that came in just eluded him and had a positive impact on the team and the players as you would expect a player of that calibre to do so. He was certainly a plus point today.”
Photo: Peter Else
