WEYMOUTH boss Mark Molesley insists Maidstone United command his full respect ahead of their visit to the Bob Lucas Stadium tomorrow (3pm).
Maidstone still operate a full-time model despite dropping from the National League last season.
After a shaky start to life in the Vanarama National League South – beginning with a 2-1 defeat to Weymouth on the opening day – Maidstone are now 10th.
And Molesley was quick to highlight the quality of the Kent side’s management team, led jointly by the experienced duo of John Still and Hakan Hayrettin.
He said: “When we talk about this being a tough league and a big challenge, it always is.
“It’s not just the teams, it’s the management. There’s no more experienced management than down at Maidstone with John and Hakan.
“They’ve been around the block, know what it’s like to win and how to win. It’s going to be a very, very tough game.
“Maidstone are still full-time, have got a lot of threats and are going to be a big, strong team.
“We’ve got to be right at it, vastly improved from our second half on Saturday (against Billericay).
“We need to be a lot more competent on the ball than we were. We’re looking for a reaction to that.”
Molesley admitted the Billericay clash would have taken a different path had Weymouth buried one of several first-half chances, with the Essex side eventually closing out a 0-0 draw.
“It was a combination of things,” he said. “Credit to Billericay, who are a good side but goals change games.
“If we took our chances in the first half, the game has a completely different outlook. If you don’t take them, the game becomes a little more desperate and anxious – that’s what happened.
“We’ve got a good team, good players and it could’ve been a different scoreline on another day.
“It’s not panic stations, it’s still full committal to the way we do things.”
Molesley also holds fond memories of the opening day victory at Maidstone, as a late brace from Ben Thomson overhauled Justin Amaluzor’s 54th-minute strike.
“It was a huge win for us,” Molesley said: “To get that first win and do it at such a big ground, against a great team, it really was a big welcome to the (National League) South and what this league was going to be like.
“They’re a good team with good facilities – it was a great win for us.”
Andy Robinson (ankle) could get his first taste of game time after a four-month lay-off, while Jack Hoey and Jaidon Anthony are in contention.
Brennan Camp is doubtful while Cameron Murray this week underwent a successful operation to cure a compartment syndrome issue.
