WEYMOUTH captain Josh McQuoid believes the Terras’ promotion to the National League was “meant to be”.
McQuoid, who scored a penalty in the 3-2 Vanarama National League South play-off semi-final against Dorking, started the 0-0 promotion final draw against Dartford.
The former Northern Ireland international was substituted in the second half and agonisingly watched on as Weymouth surged to victory in the shootout, winning 3-0.
For McQuoid, the penalties were difficult to watch given Weymouth’s well-documented troubles from the spot this season.
“We’ve had our penalty woes this season, so it was always nerve-wracking going into them,” he told BBC Solent Sport.
“It was just meant to be, I felt. The boys tucked the penalties away fantastically and it just shows the confidence in the team – the young lads stepping up, all of them, to finish the job.”
McQuoid also stressed the magnitude of his club’s achievement and insisted the Terras’ critics needed to “reflect” on their wayward pre-season predictions of relegation.
“It’s massive for all the players, the fans, the club,” he said.
“I think it’s what we deserve at the end of a hard-fought season. We did it the hard way, but thankfully we won.
“We came in underdogs and (the critics) had us to go down. But we haven’t really done any talking, we let other people do the talking.
“We were quietly confident in ourselves, we stick to what we do. We just do the talking on the pitch – and that’s shown now.
“All the doubters, they can reflect on this and obviously they’re wrong.”
McQuoid also reserved sympathy for Dartford, who lofted three dreadful penalties over the bar.
He said: “You never want to be on the losing side and I feel sorry for them – they’ve done fantastic to get to this stage.
“But like I said, I just felt like it was meant to be for us.
“They’re a good side and I’m sure they’ll do well again next season. For us, we can just celebrate.”
Arch-rivals Yeovil await in the National League and McQuoid is relishing the chance to take on the Glovers.
He said: “It’s been a long time coming but that I’m sure will be a fantastic day.
“For us, we’ve got to go away, let this sink in, celebrate it and I’m sure in no time we’ll be back out here, back working to achieve something special again.
“The sky’s the limit for this team. I think the manager (Mark Molesley), and all the staff and the fans we’re all pushing in the right direction, we’re all one big family.
“Who knows what we can achieve, but I’m looking forward to it.”
