MARK Molesley praised his defence as they claimed their second straight clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Hendon in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South.
In a potentially pivotal day, Weymouth recorded their fifth win in a row and returned to the top of the table, leapfrogging Taunton Town who drew 2-2 with Hartley Wintney.
Goals from Ben Thomson, Yemi Odubade and Calvin Brooks confidently swept aside Hendon and Molesley was chuffed by his team’s defensive duties.
Molesley said: “I am really pleased.
“It is two clean sheets in a row, I thought the defence really stood up and were counted.
“We are starting to look very consistent in that area, we look strong, we look resolute and like I said to get two clean sheets in a row is big at this stage of the season for us.
“They deserve that clean sheet, they worked really hard.”
Hendon came out firing in the second half, giving the Terras’ defence a good examination, yet Weymouth were able to turn it around with a devastating counter-attack, resulting in Odubade rolling a shot into the net.
Discussing this part of the match, Molesley said: “We are a team effort, we defend together and we attack together.
“When we concede a goal it is just as much the forward’s fault as the defender’s fault. The forward is our first line of defence and just like the attackers, the defenders are sometimes our first line of attack as well.”
Molesley also praised his team for being more clinical in both boxes, but praised Hendon for their long throws, highlighting the danger they presented.
Molesley said: “I am really pleased with a clean sheet, we are being a lot more clinical in both boxes now which is pleasing.
“Against Hendon their threat never goes away with their long throw, we had to defend. The ball was in our box a hell of a lot, we are defending well and clearing it but then the ball is coming straight back in your box.
“Although we had a lot of pressure our goalkeeper (Tom McHale) was fairly unscathed.”
The win was enhanced by Taunton’s draw with Hartley Wintney, while fellow title rivals Salisbury fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Kings Langley.
It leaves Weymouth at the top by a point, which can be extended to four via a game in hand.
Josh Wakefield was replaced by Cameron Murray during injury time in the first half.
Discussing Wakefield’s knock, Molesley said: “Unfortunately Wakefield has come off with a bit of a calf injury as well so we will just have to see how this week settles really.”
Molesley also confirmed that Luke Nippard is still with Weymouth, despite not appearing since his brief debut in the 4-4 draw with the Met Police.
Molesley explained: “Luke is still attached to the club which is great.
“It gives us a little bit more depth in our squad, a good player who is at AFC Bournemouth, but unless he is definitely going to play I think he is better off getting games at Bournemouth, so that relationship there has definitely helped. He will benefit from coming in and playing men’s football but also going back and playing for Bournemouth under-18s and the under-23s so he is getting a variety of football which will help his development.”
