Coming of age for Terras
By Rob Meech

Monday 1st February 2010

DAVE Kiteley lavished praise on his youngsters after Weymouth Reserves secured a creditable goalless draw away to Poole Borough.

The industrious Terras shaded the bout on points, enjoying the best of both possession and chances, but crucially failed to land the knockout blow at Turlin Moor.

New recruit Shane Evans rattled the bar in the first period before Jamie Sibley drew a fine reflex save from Hornets’ keeper Jakub Malara late on.

On an energy-sapping pitch both sets of players became jaded and neither side would have begrudged the other a share of the spoils.

Boss Kiteley, who was delighted with the way his troops adapted to a new formation, said: “We created more chances in the first 45 minutes than we did in the whole 90 last Saturday.

“A draw was the least we deserved. Not many teams come away from Poole with points but we looked comfortable and kept them quiet for the majority of the game.

“This is a good league for these kids to learn in and now we need to see this consistency week in, week out against sides like Poole.

“Ollie Tribe and Ben Reiffer stood up well to the test after coming of age last weekend but I was pleased with everybody and with the discipline and shape they showed.”

“I’m seeing the fruits now of working with these lads for the past 16 games. Another half a season in this league will do wonders for them.”

Kiteley made two alterations to the side that lost to Ham-worthy Recreation, with Jordan Vincent and Jamie Sibley replacing Scott Dixon and Carl Foster.

Evans was entrusted with the role of lone striker ahead of a five-man midfield desig-ned to overpower Poole, who always looked dangerous on the counter-attack. It was Weymouth who car-ved out the better chances, with Ryan McKechnie blasting high and wide from one such opening on 18 minutes.

Shortly afterwards Tribe and Sibley traded passes before unleashing Evans, who was denied his maiden goal when his close-range shot ricocheted off the woodwork.

In the second half, neither Adam Watson nor Matt White could test Weymouth custodian Mike Neish when handily placed, as a lack of composure plagued the home side.

With time ebbing away the Terras nearly ended the stalemate when Reiffer found the overlapping Sibley, who cut inside but could not direct his shot beyond Malara.

Terras: Neish, Tribe, Vincent, Rosario, Stiklakis, Nicholls, McKechnie, Reiffer, Richardson (Howard 84), Evans, Sibley (Brock 90).

Booked: Evans