MARK Molesley is glad to have a match to offer a quick reaction to their first league loss at home in nearly 14 months, then they face Needham Market in the FA Trophy first round tomorrow (3pm).
The Terras will be smarting from Tuesday night’s defeat, a 3-1 loss to Gosport Borough, which was their first league loss at home in 411 days.
Molesley, when asked if he was glad to have a break from the league after the loss, Molesley replied: “Yes and no.
“When you lose you want to react as quick as you can so I am glad that we have got a game.”
Molesley is grateful for the chance to try and progress and potentially draw National League opposition in the second round, but is wary of getting behind in their league fixtures.
Weymouth are currently five points behind league leaders Taunton Town, but with a game in hand, something that will stretch back to two games after tomorrow.
Molesley said: “It (the Needham match) is in the Trophy, it is a great chance for the club to progress and go into the next round of that, who knows which side we can pull then, but then at the same time we do not want to get too behind in our league fixtures.
“It is a game to look forward to straight away, a big game as well.”
Needham Market are currently seventh in the Evo-Stik Southern Division Central, a sister league to the one in which Weymouth compete, with 26 points from 18 matches so far this season.
When asked if the games in hand in the league were bearing on his mind, Molesley replied: “Well no, we are only one down but then I suppose in the cup we could be two down and now everything is out of our control.
“We can just concentrate on the cup and try and get a good win and we will have to bounce back quickly.
“The next game is always the biggest game for us, that is the way we always treat it, and we turn our attention to Needham Market now.
“(Against Gosport) was a bit of a slap round the face and it gives us a chance to press the reset button and get back to our best.”
Ashley Wells has missed the last couple of matches for the Terras, but Molesley has confirmed he isn’t injured and that it is more a case of match fitness.
Molesley said: “We got him back, he is the one with the least match fitness at the moment.
“Unfortunately he is the one that has missed out the last couple of games, just due to him building up his fitness and the others being a bit more match ready.
“But look, Ash will be back in the squad before too much time.
“Competition for places is high and that is the way I want it and it is up to people to work hard for the shirt and keep the shirt.”
Wells is fit and available so is in contention for the Needham Market clash.
However, Terras’ fans should not expect the return of Josh McQuoid (knee) and Warren Bentley anytime soon, with Molesley describing their injuries as “both quite long term.”
Molesley said: “The squad here that are fit and ready have proved that they are more than capable.
“Like I said (referring to the match against Gosport) that was hopefully just a one off and it gives us everything to fight for.”
