Martin and Bassett impress as Terras hold Spitfires
By Adam Summers
TRIALISTS Andy Martin and Kyle Bassett enhanced their prospects
of gaining a permanent deal at Weymouth with solid displays
in last night’s goalless draw with Eastleigh.
The former, brother of Dorchester Town’s Neil Martin, played
the whole 90 minutes in the centre of midfield while the latter,
previously at Exeter City, looked lively after coming on as
a half-time substitute.
And the man he replaced, assistant-boss Matt Groves, was imp-ressed
with both men’s efforts.
He said: “Andy gave a really solid performance in midfield
and Kyle did well when he came on up front.
“With every training session and game the new lads are
impressing us more and more. If they carry on like that it will
be almost impossible for us not to take them on.”
Further discussing last night’s clash at the Bob Lucas
Stadium, Groves added: “We were really pleased as we were
playing a strong Eastleigh team with six or seven well established
Conference South players and we more than held our own.
“We kept a good shape, we didn’t get outplayed and
we limited them to only a couple of chances.
“We also had a few youngsters step in and I thought they
did exceptionally well.
“Three of them (Charlie Holland, Max Ironside and Lee Sharpe)
were only 16 and they should be really happy with the way they
played.”
The Terras made four changes from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat
to Gillingham, but there was no sign of Rob Wolleaston despite
the midfielder not turning out for Woking for a second time
the previous night.
Goalmouth action was very much at a premium in the first period,
with Eastleigh’s best offering coming shortly before the
break.
But with just Nick Jordan to beat, Andrew White saw his effort
roll the wrong side of the far post.
Weymouth went even closer to breaking the deadlock on the stroke
of half-time – Jamie Beasley’s free-kick from out
wide being tipped on to the crossbar.
Richard Gillespie was denied by replacement keeper Tom Manley
early in the second period before White spurned another decent
opportunity.
Manley then produced the save of the game to keep out Tom Jordan’s
header.
Ex-Magpie Jamie Brown finally got the better of the Terras’
stopper but Scott Dixon was there to clear on the line.
At the other end, substitute Bassett twice went close for
the hosts and that proved to be the final action of note in
a low-key affair.
The Weymouth faithful will hope for more excitement on Saturday
when a West Ham XI visit the south coast.
* Weymouth have launched a new youth and mini-soccer concession
season ticket for the forthcoming campaign.
Volunteer Iain Stone helped come up with the idea and is hoping
the initiative will be well received in the local community.
He told Echosport: “The rationale behind the season ticket
is to encourage children under-16 to keep playing football
and also be able to afford to come and watch their local team
play as well.
“The boy or girl has to be registered with a football
team playing in the DCFA League to qualify for the special
offer which will give them entry to all first team and reserve
team fixtures for £15 for the entire season.
“The only stipulation is that all under-10s must be accompanied
by an adult.
“It does not matter which local team the child plays
for and all the administration of the ticket will be done
through me and Hilary Billimore. The closing date is September
30.”
To find out more details or gain an application form visit
the website theterras.co.uk or alternatively email bubbles31stoneir@aol.com
or hbillimore@tiscali.co.uk
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