WEYMOUTH boss Mark Molesley believes the Terras had to “dig deep” and show their fighting qualities during a stunning 3-2 comeback win at Hampton & Richmond.
Molesley’s men were guilty of missing a host of golden chances early on as Yemi Odubade saw a penalty saved by Dion-Curtis Henry before Brett Williams struck the post.
The Beavers made Weymouth pay twice in the space of 10 minutes as Dean Inman headed home a short corner from Jake Gray before Niko Muir sizzled an effort past Terras’ keeper Calum Ward.
Having looked shaky kicking against the wind, Weymouth turned the game on its head when Williams’ scorching long-range effort beat Henry in the 47th minute.
Incessant Weymouth pressure followed and, as Hampton’s defending became more panicked, Calvin Brooks stooped to head home before lunging in at the back post for 3-2 – the right-back’s first goals this season.
Speaking to Echosport, Molesley pointed towards the tenacious side of his “strong” team as they fought driving wind and rain hurled down by Storm Dennis.
He said: “The boys had to show a lot of grit and determination.
“To be fair, we get a lot of praise for the way we play the game and our football.
“But, this group’s built on hard work, grit and determination as well. There’s not a soft underbelly about us. We’re a strong team and we had to show that and other aspects of our game.
“I felt we did that and we had to. Storm Dennis did affect the game. We were against the wind first half and it was very difficult to defend on a heavily wet pitch, slipping and sliding.”
He added: “We were unfortunate not to go ahead with the missed penalty and Jake (McCarthy) very cruelly adjudged to have been (encroaching) in the follow-up.
“We obviously hit the post, then found ourselves 2-0 down. It wasn’t panic stations. We knew it was going to be difficult for Hampton in the second half, trying to get out against the wind.
“That proved the case, we had to keep a cool head and make sure we played the conditions the best we could – I felt we just about got it right.”
Molesley also credited Williams’ strike as being a momentum shifter.
He said: “We had to show defensive mentality but at the same time you look to your attacking players to make a difference.
“Brett Williams’ goal was a real key moment to score early on in the half and from the word go we put our intent onto them.
“That goal was important because being 2-0 down is a difficult one. That early goal really buoyed us.
“I’m delighted with his strike and then Calvin coming up in the right place, right time.
“We had enough chances and balls in their box, we really asked a lot of questions and had to defend heroically as well.
“We hit the bar in the second half and their keeper made some good saves. Overall, we shaded it and deserved it but we had to really dig deep for that win – I’m delighted.”
