WEYMOUTH boss Mark Molesley admitted the Terras’ stunning 4-1 win over Chelmsford City has “capped a good week” after his team’s first three games back in the Vanarama National League South yielded seven points.
On paper, Weymouth’s reappearance in the sixth tier after an absence of nine years looked fraught with danger, combining a trip to former National League side Maidstone United before hosting beaten play-off outfits Bath City and the Clarets.
But a thrilling 2-1 win at Maidstone, followed by a 1-1 draw with Bath and a convincing victory over Chelmsford, has formulated an eye-catching start.
After watching a Josh McQuoid hat-trick and a Ben Thomson strike belittle Shaun Jeffers’ early penalty, Molesley said: “It’s a great result, it’s capped a great week.
“It’s been a good start for us to life in the (National League) South but we’re also painfully aware we’re the new kids on the block and we’ve still got a lot to learn.
“We’ve got to keep fully grounded, keep trying to do the basics well and strive to improve.”
City looked dangerous in the opening 20 minutes and Molesley was dismayed by the Terras’ start.
He said: “I was disappointed with our start, I think it was sloppy from us, especially having home advantage.
“I felt we needed to get out of the traps a little bit quicker but sometimes the performance isn’t always going to be polished – your third in a week.
“It was real swirling conditions. It went in every direction, picked up at certain times so it made for a difficult afternoon.
“I think the boys’ attitude, application and desire to carry on working hard after what’s been a physically demanding week was evident out there and it pushed us through and we finished strong.”
Commenting on McQuoid’s display, the former Bournemouth man converting two penalties, Molesley said: “Josh is going from strength to strength.
“He’s had a good pre-season and he’s been unfortunate the last few seasons of his career with injury and we’re lucky to find him at our football club.
“That’s why I made him captain because he’s led by example since he’s come here. You saw his performance out there and I’m sure he’s going to go from strength to strength now he’s starting to get the minutes under his belt.
“That’s two games in a week for him, so he’s slowly building up the match fitness of a lot of (the players).”
Chelmsford’s penalty incensed centre-back Jordan Rose, who was adjudged to have tripped Michael Spillane in the box.
Molesley offered his take on the incident, adding: “If you look at the goals we’ve conceded, Bath was a soft penalty and that was soft as well.
“We’re not giving up too much on our goal, which is a good sign, but these things happen. The decision was made, they’ve given a penalty, we’ve gone 1-0 down and it’s all about how you react.
“If anything, that was a slap round the face for us and kicked us into a bit more life and actually got us going. Maybe we needed it.
“The boys responded well and that’s all you can ask for – a quick reaction.”
