A new start today with a visit to old friends as we cross the Ferrybridge to visit local neighbours Portland United in a welcome return to the popular pre-season friendly.
For manager Warren Feeney, his view about his first pre-season at the Terras is that “It’s a fitness exercise…all about looking at trialists, getting minutes in the player’s legs and getting them together again”.
This may be our opening bow of the campaign but our hosts have already begun their summer with a mid-week 7-0 thrashing of another Dorset side, Blandford United.
Overall we have a rich history of games against Portland’s “Blues” with almost 150 meetings to date, although few have been truly competitive matches with friendlies and end of season shield competitions featuring heavily. That considered, the Terras have dominated the win column and currently show a 20 game unbeaten run against the islanders, the last loss being in a 2004 friendly.
Our most recent encounter was in the opening round of last season’s Dorset senior cup, Weymouth progressing 3-0 thanks to a goal apiece from Robinson, Touray & Pollock.
Countless players and staff have been involved with both clubs over the years including the current Portland United manager Kyle Critchell who played for the Terras more than 100 times from 2007 until 2013.
Having a warren around normally means it’s a safe haven for bunnies…but hopefully the Terras can chase their quarry well this weekend in this, their first “fitness exercise”.
Preview by
Duncan Gardner
