Join theterras.com as we look back at the 2018/19 Evo-Stik Southern League Premier South title winning season. We kick off with what turned out to be a very impressive August.
Weymouth came into August off the back of an indifferent pre-season; having been beaten 6-0 at the start of July by AFC Bournemouth, the Terras produced a strong showing against Kingstonian with a 3-1 win. However, as Weymouth used the pre-season period to experiment with new formations and trial players, this was followed by defeats against Exeter City, Bath City, and Moneyfields, and draws at Hamworthy United and Winchester City.
Mark Molesley had the luxury of keeping the majority of his squad from the 2017/18 season together; the only members missing were Calvin Brooks who had joined the army in the summer and Thiago Caze Da Silva who left after a short spell at the club.
Additions to the squad prior to August were: goalkeepers Jordan Seabright and Lloyd Thomas, Tony Lee (who left for Gosport Borough 3 days before the start of the season), and Wessex Fantasy Football funded Warren Bentley joined from Poole Town.
Jez Bedford’s trial period at the Bob Lucas Stadium proved to be unsuccessful and he joined Poole Town.
Weymouth announced a triple signing before their pre-season friendly at Winchester City; Antonio Diaz returned to the Terras after a spell at Dorchester Town, Matt Casey signed on a work experience deal from Portsmouth, and former AFC Bournemouth and Northen Ireland international Josh McQuoid committed to the Terras.
Diaz said he was looking to repay Mark Molesley’s faith and said there was a great buzz around a competitive squad.
Weymouth captain Jake McCarthy said that his side were confident with the favourites tag which had been placed on them.
Prior to the season kicking-off, Assistant Manager Tom Prodomo called on the Terras to build on last year, a season which had seen Weymouth finish on 97 points but fall short in the playoffs. While Mark Molesley suggested that you shouldn’t read too much into a pre-season campaign.
On 9th August, Weymouth groundsmen Paul Vallintine and Kevin Banks were recognised as Southern League groundsmen of the year.
Weymouth continued from where they left off the last season, a hat-trick from Brandon Goodship secured a 3-2 win away at Harrow Borough on the opening day of the season. In a performance that Molesley described as a case of Déjà vu, the Terras fought well and came back from conceding early. McQuoid made his debut for the club and Casey made his first appearance for the club, coming on as a late substitute.
Despite bagging a hat-trick for himself on the opening day, Brandon Goodship praised his team mates who he described as massively important for assisting the three strikes.
On 14th August, newly promoted Taunton Town were the first visitors to the Bob Lucas Stadium. Amidst a typical Tuesday night Bob Lucas Stadium atmosphere, Weymouth had to recover from a shaky start, but Goodship’s goal on the hour and Abdulai Baggie’s late strike meant the Terras gained the three points and ended Taunton’s remarkable 35-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 win.
Molesley described Baggie’s late winner as a great feeling and praised the character that his squad had showed.
The Taunton game proved to be Matt Casey’s last appearance for Weymouth (1 start, 1 substitute appearance).
On 18th August, Weymouth were rescued again by a late goal; Josh Wakefield tapped home Josh McQuoid’s cross in the 88th minute to earn a point at home to a resolute Beaconsfield Town side. After the game Molesley said he was disappointed drawing 1-1, but praised the never-say-die attitude of the Terras.
Weymouth were to end the month with back-to-back 5-0 victories over the August bank holiday weekend.
Firstly, on the Saturday the Terras dismissed Chesham United 5-0 as Goodship picked up his second hat-trick of the season, while Thomson and Zubar opened their goal-scoring accounts for the season.
And then on the Monday, Weymouth dismantled Dorchester Town at the Bob Lucas Stadium 5-0, Thomson and McQuoid both scored braces and Goodship added another to his tally. Mark Molesley praised his side’s energy to gain the two 5-0 victories, while Terras Director of Football, Paul Maitland paid tribute to the support of the fans at home against Dorchester, calling on them to continue being the twelfth man this season.
Weymouth learnt that they would face Banbury United at home in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.
Tiago Sa left the Terras on the last day of the month to join Dorchester Town on loan for a month.
Record for August: P5 W4 D1 L0 F16 A4
