STRIKER Stuart Fleetwood is aiming to help departing boss Jason Matthews gain one more piece of silverware, as Weymouth head into tonight’s Dorset Senior Cup final against Gillingham Town at the Avenue (7.45pm).
The experienced frontman, who was brought in on loan from Bath City by Matthews in October, is aiming to get among the goals if selected against the Gills to give his manager a memorable end to his tenure, when Matthews leaves the role following the encounter.
On hearing the news last week that the Terras’ boss was to depart following tonight’s encounter, Fleetwood took to social media and posted a tweet directed at Matthews, which stated: “Been a pleasure mate. Thanks for bringing me in and getting me back to enjoying football again.”
Asked about the comment by Echosport, the former Cardiff City and Forest Green Rovers striker said: “That tweet I sent was heartfelt.
“He (Matthews) brought me in and played me, even when it didn’t start so well for me.
“Scoring goals is what I enjoy most and that’s what has got me enjoying football again. I think people can tell that I have enjoyed it at Weymouth and I have Jase to thank for that.”
He added: “I don’t think anyone has a bad word to say about Jase. You can see he is well liked.
“We had a little meeting between ourselves without Jase on Saturday and said that we have to hold our hands up and take a bit of the responsibility as well.
“It’s never nice when somebody loses their job or moves on. It’s down to us as much as it is him, so we will be going out there to give him a good send off.
“He is going out with a lot of respect from everyone and showed his class with his interviews. He loves the club.
“I am sure he will go into something else and put his heart into it, like he has this job.”
Tonight’s clash is a repeat of last season’s final, with the Terras looking to overcome Gillingham once again to seal a hat-trick of county cup crowns.
“This is probably one of the first clubs I’ve been at where they actually take it seriously,” Fleetwood added. “I have played in all different county cups with previous clubs and it’s usually a chance for young lads to play.
“But I understand we have won it for the last couple of years and we will be going out to win it again.”
