Match Preview
Weymouth return to the Bob Lucas Stadium this weekend, with Banbury United coming to Dorset to play the Terras. Mark Molesley’s side have now secured a place in this seasons Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Play-Offs after beating Redditch United away last weekend. It is now a case of playing for positions in that top five, with a lucrative home semi final tie being the target. To earn a home tie at the Bob Lucas Stadium, Weymouth need to finish in either 2nd or 3rd position in the league table. The Terras currently sit in 3rd spot and will be hoping to keep up their red hot form.
Clashes between these two sides have often been memorable, the Puritans are currently sitting in 9th place in the table and they will be hoping to finish the season strongly.
Banbury have a quick turnaround after having to play on Thursday evening against Stratford Town, leaving Mike Ford and his team with less than 48 hours to prepare for the trip. They did however beat an out of form Stratford Town side 4-0, which will no doubt be a confidence boost.
Weymouth, who as mentioned, are looking to secure a home tie in the play-offs are still four points clear of 4th placed Slough Town. This is when it starts getting interesting, on Saturday, Slough Town face 2nd place King’s Lynn Town; Kettering Town, who are now in 5th place after losing 2-1 to King’s Lynn Town on Thursday, take on Hitchin Town at Latimer Park. There could be plenty of twists at the top of the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier table this weekend.
Current League Standings
| # | Team | Pl | HW | HD | HL | AW | AD | AL | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | Pts |
| 3 | Weymouth | 42 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 6 | 8 | 96 | 43 | 53 | 90 |
| 9 | Banbury United | 40 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 80 | 52 | 28 | 63 |
Team News
Weymouth are expected to have Ashley Wells back after illness and Mark Molesley’s team have no fresh injury concerns. Harry Baker, Josh Wakefield, Charlie Davis and Jordan Ngalo all completed minutes against the British Vrigin Islands on Wednesday in a bid to boost their fitness.
News From The Terras
The thoughts of Manager, Mark Molesley ahead of Saturday’s game, “Banbury are always there or thereabouts and they are a good team. This season they are only just off the play-offs so we are aware of what they bring to the table.
“There is still everything to play for as we push to finish as high in the league as we possibly can.
“The friendly on Wednesday was a worthwhile exercise as we got some of our players some valuable game time, meanwhile other players got some much needed rest. My players are fit and ready to go.”
Molesley will now have completed his first year in charge at the club. When asked about how he reflects on his first year managing the Terras, he said “I haven’t really had a chance to think about it or sit down and reflect on it.
“It’s not something I get too interested in but when thinking about it we have come a long way since that first training session but we haven’t achieved anything yet and the team and staff remain hungry.
“I’ve enjoyed it and long may that continue!”
News From The Reds
Speaking to Puritans radio, Banbury manager confirmed some team news for the Puritans, “Jack Self has been away, he was trying to get back to the game last night but his plane was delayed, he’s available for the game tomorrow.
“Jack Finch has played three 90 minutes in a few days. I’m pleased Finch has got through them unscathed but it might be good to give him a rest tomorrow, we’ve got a good player in Jack Self to come back into the team to replace him.
“Tom Winters won’t be fit tomorrow, Darren Pond and Charlie Hawtin won’t be fit, so we have a few selection problems.
“But we do have Antony Wright, Sam Humphreys and Stephane Ngamvoulou fresh, so there’s pace and good players in attacking areas of the pitch which we can bring back into the team tomorrow”
One to Watch
Elliot Sandy
Sandy is a 32-year-old attacking midfielder who has previously spent time with Brackley Town, Corby Town, Leamington AFC Rushden and Diamonds and was a key member of Kettering Town’s championship winning side in 2014/15. He has scored 10 goals in his last 20 games for Banbury United and has been instrumental in their recent good run of form.
Sandy scored from the spot in Thursday evening’s 4-0 victory against Stratford Town.
The Stats Say
Banbury United are currently on a run of 10 games unbeaten in the league, a run made up of 5 draws and 5 wins; Weymouth are currently on a run of 6 straight victories, and have only failed to win once in their last 12 games.
Weymouth and Banbury United have met each other 13 times since 2010; Weymouth have won 6, drawn 3 and lost 4 of these meetings. The record between the two sides at the Bob Lucas Stadium is equal with both sides winning twice and drawing once.
There have been 41 goals in the past 13 meetings between the two sides, Weymouth scoring 21 and Banbury United 20 of these.
Brandon Goodship has now scored 14 goals in his last 12 games and sits 8 goals ahead of Hereford’s John Mills in the race for the golden boot on 34 goals.
Admission Info
Adults – £11
Concessions – £8
Children (Under 16s) – £3
Bob Lucas Stadium,
Radipole Lane
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 9XJ
Last Time We Met
Two goals from Harry Baker helped Weymouth to a superb 2-1 victory away to Banbury United in December 2017.
An early goal from Baker within 4 minutes got Weymouth off to a flying start, before Tom Winters equalised just before half-time with a deflected effort. Harry Baker restored Weymouth’s lead after 57 minutes, when a great move from Abdulai Baggie and Ben Thomson meant Baker was left with an empty net to tap in to.
Weymouth had Mark Travers to thank when his unbelievable save in the dying seconds secured the 3 points for the Terras.
Banbury: Harding, Hawtin, Felix, Nash, Bradbury, Carnell, Pond, Sandy (Humphreys 64), Johnson, McDonagh (Howards 73), Winters
Unused Subs: Ngathe, Peake-Pijnen, MacDonald
Terras: Travers, Brooks, Sa, Zubar, Buckley, Carmichael, Davis, Thomson, Baker, Goodship (Wakefield 60), Baggie (Wells 89)
Unused Subs: Harvey, Rodriguez, Stewart
Attendance: 377
Referee: Richard Gardener
Terras Man of the Match: Harry Baker
