WEYMOUTH manager Brian Stock admitted he had a case of “déjà vu” after watching the Terras lose 1-0 to Sutton United on Saturday.

Stock’s men are yet to score a goal in three Vanarama National League games but nearly held on for a point until Will Randell’s 81st-minute curling low strike.

Defeat comes after Woking claimed a 1-0 win at Weymouth on Tuesday evening.

Speaking post-match, Stock admitted Weymouth’s performance had improved on the midweek loss.

“It’s almost déjà vu from Tuesday night,” he said. “They’ve tried everything, our lads.

“We’ve just come up short against a very well organised, professional, aggressive side.

“Performance-wise we were braver on the ball and passed with a purpose. We made good decisions on the ball.

“If I was to be critical, the final third did we create much? Did we have many shots on target? No.

“Against a strong, well-equipped National League side in Sutton we coped with their threats very well.”

Weymouth were without strikers Ben Thomson and Josh McQuoid for the clash but have signed Shamir Mullings subject to league approval.

Probed on Weymouth’s lack of attacking thrust, Stock admitted he did have concerns.

“We’re finding our feet in this league,” he said. “Losing two strikers prior to the game wasn’t ideal.

“That’s something that quite clearly we need to work on, to make sure we’re scoring goals or at least have an attempt on goal.

“I said prior to the game it was an opportunity for one or two to step up to the plate. I felt that they did that.

“I felt the performance was very good, I thought everyone worked really, really hard and it’s important to remember that.

“We’re going to need that every single game this year. Although the result wasn’t there, the performance was almost there.”

Undoubtedly the man of the match display came from Weymouth goalkeeper Jack Bycroft, who made a string of stunning saves to keep the scores level.

Stock said: “I think it’s fair to say that he made two or three very good saves and it’s expected.

“When you look at the amount of times we allowed Sutton into the box in terms of crossing and opportunities from set-pieces, we’re going to accept that fact we’re going to (concede) a lot of shots on target.

“(Bycroft) played really well.”

Elaborating on the signing of Mullings, Stock said: “We’ve signed Shamir on a non-contract basis.

“He will come in and boost our attacking options. I’ve worked with Sham and he’s aggressive, tall and scores goals so he’ll give us a different dimension.

“He’s been around the non-League circuit for quite some time. I’ve played with him at Havant.

“He then got a move to Chelmsford and went on to Forest Green, so a club’s seen what potential he has in the fact that they’ve paid money for Sham.

“He’ll give us a physical attribute, height, and on set-pieces that advantage. But he also scores goals – he’s got a bit of everything.”

Dorset Echo

Similar Posts