WEYMOUTH manager Brian Stock insisted the Terras “slightly edged” Altrincham during their 0-0 draw in Trafford on the opening day of the Vanarama National League season.
In dreadful conditions, with groundstaff sweeping away standing water on the pitch midway through the second half, Weymouth created more chances than Alty.
Cody Cooke twice went close for the Terras, while the Robins responded when Ollie Harfield was forced to clear off the line as the hosts improved in the second period.
Speaking to uptheterras.co.uk, Stock revealed his satisfaction with a point and clean sheet from Weymouth first National League fixture since 2009.
“We’re delighted with the result,” he said.
“When you go into the first game of the season in a new league, different experiences travelling on a Friday, weather conditions and to keep a clean sheet in the manner we did was very positive.
“If there was a team that was going to nick it we might have just slightly edged that.”
Amid a prolonged deluge of rain, Stock admitted the weather had altered his tactics.
“It was almost a case for us to actually not use the left side second half.
“If Ollie Harfield was on the ball we were looking to play diagonals purely to get it out from the standing water on the pitch.
“It’s the same for both sides and how you utilised the pitch determined the outcome of the game.”
Stock reinforced the strength in depth of his squad by signing Bournemouth centre-back Corey Jordan on loan prior to the game.
And the former Wales international again voiced his pleasure at the quality of the squad he has inherited since taking over the helm.
He said: “If I was to look at one area of the pitch, central midfield we’ve got very good competition for places.
“Jordan Ngalo didn’t make the bench, yet he’s in my thoughts to start (tomorrow).
“Like I said when I first took over, the strength in depth is so strong, my team can change from game to game.
“Given we’ve got seven games in the opening month, travelling, there are a lot of things that go into the mix in order to make the right selection come the next game.”
Weymouth travelled up to Trafford on the eve of the game, and Stock believes his backroom staff will have learned plenty from the experience.
He said: “When you look at the structure, there’s certain things we can look back on, review and improve.
“When you look at how we set ourselves out travelling, with some of the boys sacrificing work, uni and college, they are the sacrifices they’re going to have to make in order for us to be successful this year.
“Man for man, I thought we were excellent, including the staff – a really good team effort.”
