Weymouth Vs Tonbridge
National League South, Bob Lucas Stadium, Saturday 30 November, 15:00 GMT
This league doesn’t stop does it, Terras fans?
Reaching our third game in a week, and our second successive fixture at home since August, we look to turn our recent run around.
Following an impressive unbeaten streak of nine matches in all competitions, which culminated in a FA-Trophy win away to title-fighters Weston-super-Mare, our last two matches have both frustratingly ended in losses.
After last week’s defeat away to Hornchurch came a resounding 4-1 home result at our expense on Tuesday versus table-toppers Truro City, who now sit at the summit on goal difference.
Since then, there has been a lot for our club to process, as we parted ways with manager Mark Molesley later in the week.
Mark’s first spell in our dugout will forever ensure his legendary status at our club, his back-to-back promotions in 2019 and 2020 leaving lasting memories in the hearts of supporters.
But in the meantime we have Mark’s preceding boss Jason Matthews, who has led us as both an interim and permanent gaffer, in our dugout this afternoon as we prepare to face mid-table Tonbridge Angels.
The Angels, who beat us at their home ground on the opening day of this campaign, currently sit well clear of the drop zone in 13th place, with six wins and 25 points in 16 games so far.
Their recent form is the definition of average, with an equal number of wins, draws and losses in their previous six league games.
HOW TO FOLLOW
We are pleased to announce that commentary will be provided by Robert Santonna this afternoon; click HERE to access his in-game thoughts.
Live updates will also be posted on our social media accounts; footage and reaction will also be uploaded after the final whistle.
SUPER JASE MATTHEWS
Jason’s presence is once again felt on a matchday, the former-goalkeeper taking charge for the second time this calendar year.
Earlier this year he oversaw a well-earned draw away to Bath City, before guiding us to our first win versus our “friends” up the road, Yeovil Town, in 36 years.
He may have the chance to achieve the latter once more in just a week’s time…
But right now he has a tricky task on his hands, as he looks to shorten our five-point gap from safety.
Though if there’s anyone who knows how to guide this club, it’s him.
First taking charge in January 2014, Jason had already previously enjoyed a number of years between the sticks for us, first spending six years at the Bob Lucas between 2002 and 2008, before returning in 2013.
But then, after Brendon King was sacked in December that year following a “poor run of results,” our keeper stepped up for his first manager role.
After starting so brightly in the dugout, of sorts, winning four of his first seven in charge, he continued in a player-manager role.
Though his three-year stint as boss should be remembered for the stability he brought us, bringing us comfortable top-half finishes in all of his three full seasons, two of which included near-play-off positions of seventh place, his relationship with the players define his time as a Terra.
In the words of Calvin Brooks last month, “He was brilliant, just encouraged all the players to be themselves. He loved attack-minded players and always encouraged us to get forward. A really positive manager.”
After Tuesday’s result, any positivity right now will benefit us.
But there may be a reason for us all to smile at Jase’s interim appointment, the Somerset-born ex-shot-stopper boasting quite the “recent” record.
Stretching across both his spell as a manager and caretaker earlier this year, he is on a current unbeaten run of 14 games.
The last of those, I’m sure I don’t need to remind you, was a game that hosted that team from Somerset.
Looking to seal the title with a win on April Fool’s Day, we were desperate not to look the fools that day and instead stop The Glovers from laying their gloves on our turf.
Instead, they couldn’t contain the mighty Terras, who came out all guns blazing.
Ultimately, Dan Roberts’ first-half strike was the game’s only goal as we secured our first win versus our biggest rivals in 36 years.
Perhaps this is the stroke of luck we need this afternoon.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Having won 23 games against today’s opponents, compared to their 17 victories, we boast the upper hand.
However in recent times the The Angels have stepped closer to heaven, their three wins compared to our one in 2022 leaving us stuck in purgatory.
We don’t need to look too far back to remember Tonbridge’s danger, either, their latest victory at our expense coming on the opening day of this campaign.
Scoring The Angels’ third that day was ex-Terra Sean Shields, who also scored the last time this fixture was played in Dorset, the wizard winger spending two seasons with us between 2020 and 2022.
His long-range wonder strike came with less than 20 minutes left of regular time remaining, a goal that gave the hosts a 3-1 lead.
Though Ezio Touray, who so often found goals as a “super-sub” for us, brought one back near stoppage time, it wasn’t enough to prevent us from tasting opening-day defeat.
This wasn’t the first time we suffered a first-game loss versus today’s visitors, as they ran out 3-1 winners at our expense on our own ground.
However, the reverse fixture in December saw us produce quite the revenge.
Scoring five at Longmead Stadium, which included a hat-trick from Bradley Ash and a clean-sheet, this thumping well and truly left our mark in Kent that day and ultimately helped keep us up at the end of the season as we produced our “Great Escape.”
Featuring in both of those games that season for us were Tom Bearwish and Keelan O’Connell, who scored in both games.
A certain interim boss was on the bench for the 5-0 thumping too!
Those three will certainly know what it takes to win today…
