WEYMOUTH manager Mark Molesley is chasing history ahead of the Terras’ fourth qualifying round battle with Dover Athletic at the Bob Lucas Stadium tomorrow (3pm).
Weymouth last reached the first round in the 2007/08 season when the Terras faced Eastbourne Borough away, winning 4-0 thanks to a Stuart Beavon hat-trick.
In the 2006/07 season the Terras faced Bury at home in the first round, drawing 2-2 before losing 4-3 in the replay at Gigg Lane.
A meaty sum of £18,750 is on offer to all fourth qualifying round winners this season, adding significant financial incentive.
And Molesley, ever keen to demonstrate the progress his squad has made, has his eyes on “new records” but remained wary of National League side Dover’s quality.
He told Echosport: “Every game‘s a big game but this is a particularly big one with big rewards on offer financially – to get to that first round of the FA Cup would be fantastic for the club.
“And, all the excitement that goes around the FA Cup as well. But we have one hell of a job to do first.
“Dover are a good side, riding high in the (National League) with an experienced manager (Andy Hessenthaler) and players so we’re going to have to be at our best and have a really good day at the office.
“Who knows? We’re in confident mood, so hopefully we have a good day.
“It’s a great carrot for all of us. We want to keep taking this club forward. New records (would) show we’re doing well and the squad deserves that recognition. I hope we can go out and give a good account of ourselves, be true to ourselves and see where it takes us.”
Weymouth expect a bumper crowd for the contest, with Whites’ fans set to be segregated from the home faithful.
Molesley is eager to tap into another boisterous home atmosphere.
He said: “You could see how the fans responded to that last game of the season (against Farnborough) and the boys really rose to that occasion playing in front of that crowd.
“Hopefully we can recreate that. Hopefully the fans can come out in numbers, we’re going to need everything that can make a big difference to us.”
Molesley also cooled suggestions Dover may be fearful of the Terras’ impressive home record, which has yielded just nine defeats in 60 matches during all competitions, spanning more than two seasons.
“I’m sure they’ll do their homework on us,” Molesley said. “I’m sure that that might flag up that we have a good home record.
“But they’re the bigger team, they’re used to these sorts of challenges. They play in tough games every week, so we’re hoping to give them a tough game and hopefully we won’t disappoint them.”
Stephane Zubar (groin) is a major doubt while Andy Robinson (ankle) is out. Jake McCarthy could return, while the Terras have two more unnamed injury doubts.
