WEYMOUTH goalkeeper Will Dennis was delighted after he kept his first clean sheet for the club in their 0-0 draw away against Stratford Town in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.
It was his first clean sheet after conceding a goal from Darren Foxley in the 1-1 draw against Bishop’s Stortford and the only goal of the game as Larkhall Athletic beat the Terras thanks to a Cory Simpson strike.
Dennis said: “I am really pleased with that, I showed what I could do making a couple of saves and with the distribution.
“The team as well, they were a part of that, they helped me get through, the way they were set up and organised made it so much easier for me to be a part of.
Dennis moved to the Bob Lucas Stadium on loan from Bournemouth following his parent club’s decision to recall then Terras’ keeper Mark Travers, which was announced on January 4 in the week prior to the Bishop’s Stortford match where he made his first start.
The 18-year-old, who first joined the Cherries in July 2016, has signed a contract until June 2019 and is delighted with the progress he is making under the goalkeeping coaching team at the club.
When asked about how he has found his time at Weymouth since his move, Dennis said: “I am really enjoying it, they have helped me settle in and they have showed me how they want to play, the lads are great and also the coaches have been really supportive as well.”
He praised his team-mates when talking about how he has settled in.
He said: “It has been good, obviously they have helped me a lot they have shown me how to play, they are a good laugh as well, good lads. They have been really kind to me.”
Dennis is looking forward for the challenge of taking on leaders King’s Lynn Town, who the Terras travel to face today (3pm).
Dennis said: “I am really excited, obviously travelling quite a distance will be a good experience but it is just another game really.
“We have just got to play the way we want to play and the result should go our way.”
Dennis went to see a couple of Weymouth matches before his move to the Terras and also spoke to former Weymouth keeper Mark Travers about the club.
Dennis mentioned: “He just said they are a good bunch of lads, good club, very helpful and supportive. Very good as well at playing football so that is good.”
Weymouth club captain Ashley Wells has praised Dennis for his performances since joining.
Wells said: “It just shows you how good the boss’ connections are, obviously a young goalkeeper coming in to prove himself and he has done just that on Saturday.”
In the Stratford match Dennis made key saves as Weymouth were held to a stalemate.
This included a superb effort to race out in the 10th minute to smother the ball after a back pass from Wells had led to Stratford striker Ben Stephens being one on one with Dennis.
Wells said: “He made two great saves, he pulled me out of a hole and then a reflex save that was unbelievable.
Wells admitted that as a defender it helps to know that someone like Dennis is playing in goal.
Wells said: “He played really well and you have that confidence behind you as a defender, knowing that even if they do get through you have still got to beat a really good goalkeeper so it does fill you with more confidence.”
