JUBILANT Weymouth manager Mark Molesley believes the Terras have proven โa lot of doubters wrongโ after sealing promotion to the National League.
Following a 0-0 draw with Vanarama National League South rivals Dartford, Weymouth needed penalties to claim the astonishing feat of back-to-back promotions.
Tom Whelan, Jake McCarthy and Jaidon Anthony all guided their spot-kicks past Alhaji Sesay with laser-like precision, while the Darts hoisted three awful penalties over the bar.
Jack Jebb, league top scorer Darren McQueen and Noor Husin were the unfortunate men as Weymouth sealed their return to the National League after an 11-year absence.
For Molesley, the achievement answered his teamโs critics perfectly after the Dorset squad was widely tipped for relegation last August.
He said: โ(Iโm) hugely proud to manage this great football club and to get it back to where it once was was always our goal.
โWe never shout things from the rooftops, we try and go about our work quietly and we had full belief in ourselves.
โWeโve proved a lot of doubters wrong โ itโs a fantastic feeling.โ
While Molesley beamed with pride at his teamโs ascent into non-leagueโs top flight, he took time to thank the fans who had raised ยฃ35,000 in order to help prepare the Terras to play in lockdown.
He said: โIโm so pleased for everyone at the football club. So much workโs gone in off the pitch to even get this game on โ so many wonderful people fundraising.
โItโs an extension to the season previously. My staff and players have been magnificent. To pick up where we left off and get the job done just shows the mentality of this group.
โWeโre a young group with young players but we stick to our guns. We have a way of doing things, we never divert away from that, no matter what.
โWe go into every game to win and it just shows you that, with a really deep inner belief, the worldโs your oyster.โ
Commenting on what was an edgy goalless draw, Molesley said: โItโs a final and Dartford are a great team.
โSteve King (boss) always puts a great team together and I have to take my hat off to them for the season theyโve had.
โItโs very unfortunate and I really feel for them. To lose a game on penalties is always difficult. Lady luck was shining on us for those penalties and it was to be our season.
โMy condolences to Dartford, who are a magnificent team with magnificent management.
โAnyone who wouldโve gone up through these play-offs wouldโve deserved it. All the teams in the play-offs are great teams, all of them have been a credit to the (National League) South.
โYou take your hat off and say โfair playโโ.
