JASON Matthews admitted he was overwhelmed by the Weymouth support during Tuesday’s Dorset derby defeat at Poole Town and is hoping for more of the same from the fans when his side host Leamington at the Bob Lucas Stadium tomorrow (3pm).
And with the Terras having lost their last two league encounters on the road, the player-manager is eager to return to winning ways in a hurry.
Speaking about the support given to his side in midweek, even in complete darkness when the floodlights went out during the first half at Tatnam, Matthews told Echosport: “The fans have been unbelievable. I was really pleased with the way they got behind us on Tuesday.
“Credit to our fans, they kept singing throughout and made the atmosphere really good.
“I know I have come in for some stick at a couple of home games, and probably rightly so, but I want to produce for them this year and I am determined to produce for them this year.
“I urge them to make the same noise tomorrow, it really does make a big difference.”
Dean Evans is set to return to the Terras’ ranks against 10th place Leamington after serving a two-match ban, while George Rigg and Chris Shephard are still expected to miss out through injury.
“Dean has been our standout player this season,” Matthews added.
“It will be nice to welcome him back and it gives us that little bit of bite.
“Sheps (Chris Shephard) is getting back spasms so we are wary of that. He is not far away but we can’t really put a time on it.
“It’s a massive game against Leamington, they are another team vying for those top-five spots.
“They have a proven goalscorer in Ben Mackey and we need to be very wary, but we need to take the positives from Tuesday’s game and keep going.”
Matthews also revealed that midfielder Shane Krac, a shock inclusion against Poole before being sent off, is unlikely to become a regular feature back at the club.
“I’d like Shane to stay for the rest of the season but I don’t think that is actually possible from his end. I thank him for coming in,” the Weymouth boss claimed.
“He said he would help me out but, as to whether we could get him to come up permanently, it is quite doubtful.
“He did well on the whole but lost his head for a split second and the tackle was obviously a little bit silly.
“He was really disappointed, even though it was his first game back.”
The last time that Leamington and the Terras locked horns was back in September when they played out a 0-0 draw.
The Terras’ under-18s lost 3-1 at home to Dorchester on Wednesday evening.
