WEYMOUTH chairman Ian White admits it is a bit of a relief to have a run in the FA Trophy, with a 2-0 win at St Albans City last Tuesday earning a place in the first round.
Goals from Ben Thomson and Ryan Glover secured the progression in the third qualifying round replay.
The run comes off the back of a tough run in the cups so far for the Terras, with their FA Cup hopes ending at the first hurdle against Banbury United in a first qualifying round replay.
Their Security Services League Challenge Cup run was ended at the first round stage, with a 2-0 defeat to Wimborne, but the FA Trophy has seen Weymouth progress through three qualifying rounds to make the first round proper.
White said, when asked if the run was a relief in light of their other cup results: “I suppose it is a relief. The most important thing is the league, we want to get promoted.
“That is without a doubt the most important thing.”
White reflected on their run, which has seen them require replay wins at Street and St Albans after drawing the first match at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
White said: “We got tough draw in the first round, away at Taunton, but we went to Taunton and played really, really well.
“Street gave us a bit of a surprise, they were really quite a good side but again we did it there, we pulled off the 1-0.”
White is hoping the Terras can make it into the new year while still being in the Trophy, which would require a win when Weymouth host Needham Market on Saturday, December 15.
White said: “Now if we can win in two weeks’ time then we move into the new year in the last 32 and then you never know.
“Teams have done it before, other teams lower down in the pyramid have managed to make their way to Wembley so who knows?”
White also admits the prize money is a big boost for the club, which has seen them earn £6,000 for reaching the first round.
White said: “It is all good, it is good for the coffers for the club which is really important.”
“At our level of football money is very key, it is very important.
“It is a huge bonus for us. It helps us strengthen in different areas of the club.
“I am really pleased.”
White admitted that the club were disappointed with their FA Cup loss to Banbury in September, which saw them lose 2-1 in a replay at the Puritans.
White said: “We were a bit disappointed with the FA Cup but we got a really rough draw in Banbury.
“Probably over the two games perhaps we could have beaten them, but it is great to have a run in the FA Trophy and let’s face it that is the sort of cup that we could really get to Wembley.
“We have certainly gone further than we have in the last few years so it is really good.
White said: “St Albans have always been a bit of an old foe of ours, we have always liked going to St Albans.
“At home in the first half, I thought we played some of the best football we have played all season.”
