JUBILANT Weymouth manager Mark Molesley believes the Terras have proven “a lot of doubters wrong” after sealing promotion to the National League.
Following a 0-0 draw with Vanarama National League South rivals Dartford, Weymouth needed penalties to claim the astonishing feat of back-to-back promotions.
Tom Whelan, Jake McCarthy and Jaidon Anthony all guided their spot-kicks past Alhaji Sesay with laser-like precision, while the Darts hoisted three awful penalties over the bar.
Jack Jebb, league top scorer Darren McQueen and Noor Husin were the unfortunate men as Weymouth sealed their return to the National League after an 11-year absence.
For Molesley, the achievement answered his team’s critics perfectly after the Dorset squad was widely tipped for relegation last August.
He said: “(I’m) hugely proud to manage this great football club and to get it back to where it once was was always our goal.
“We never shout things from the rooftops, we try and go about our work quietly and we had full belief in ourselves.
“We’ve proved a lot of doubters wrong – it’s a fantastic feeling.”
While Molesley beamed with pride at his team’s ascent into non-league’s top flight, he took time to thank the fans who had raised £35,000 in order to help prepare the Terras to play in lockdown.
He said: “I’m so pleased for everyone at the football club. So much work’s gone in off the pitch to even get this game on – so many wonderful people fundraising.
“It’s an extension to the season previously. My staff and players have been magnificent. To pick up where we left off and get the job done just shows the mentality of this group.
“We’re a young group with young players but we stick to our guns. We have a way of doing things, we never divert away from that, no matter what.
“We go into every game to win and it just shows you that, with a really deep inner belief, the world’s your oyster.”
Commenting on what was an edgy goalless draw, Molesley said: “It’s a final and Dartford are a great team.
“Steve King (boss) always puts a great team together and I have to take my hat off to them for the season they’ve had.
“It’s very unfortunate and I really feel for them. To lose a game on penalties is always difficult. Lady luck was shining on us for those penalties and it was to be our season.
“My condolences to Dartford, who are a magnificent team with magnificent management.
“Anyone who would’ve gone up through these play-offs would’ve deserved it. All the teams in the play-offs are great teams, all of them have been a credit to the (National League) South.
“You take your hat off and say ‘fair play’”.
