Andy’s rage as decision costs Terras
By Derek Bish

Thursday 11th March 2010

ANDY Harris insisted Weymouth’s season is not over after they pushed promotion-chasing Chelmsford City all the way in Essex.

The Terras – buoyed by the return of Cameron Mawer, Stephen Reed and Pierre Joseph-Dubois – held high-flying City to a 0-0 draw at half-time but controversy surrounded the Clarets’ first goal.

Caretaker player-manager Harris, normally reserved on officials’ decisions, was left infuriated by the assistant referee’s decision to lift his flag and then put it back down again as Ricky Holmes ran through to open the scoring.

“The linesman has killed us for the first goal,” said Harris. “He has flagged for an offside – you could argue that we should have played to the whistle but the lads thought they had caught him offside.

“Ricky Holmes noticed our def-ence had stopped and sprinted through. The referee admitted the linesman should not have flagged but by then it was too late.

“We lost our discipline for five or 10 minutes and allowed them to score their second goal.

“But we got ourselves back together and gave it a right good go. Reedy scored a fantastic goal and we had chances at the end to nick an equaliser.

“I was disappointed with the result but very proud with the team.”

The Terras had a more experienced look to them with Mawer, Reed and Joseph-Dubois back in the side, but youngsters Scott Dixon, Ollie Tribe and Carl Foster all played their part and all impressed Harris.

“Scott Dixon deserves a special mention because he has been playing left-back and been excellent in recent weeks,” said the caretaker player-manager, who believes Weymouth still have plenty to play for this season.

“I would honestly not play if I thought I was going to get thumped every single week because I don’t approach the game with that attitude – I want to win every game I play,” added Harris. “I understand in the circumstances that is very difficult with the squad and size of it that we have available.

“If we can put in decent performances and if these young lads can show they are able to step up it’s worth fulfilling our fixtures.

“These leagues are not always cut and dry and if you can finish second from bottom sometimes it gives you a chance.

“I don’t want to be the whipping boys at the bottom of the league, even if it means finishing second bottom.”

Harris takes his charges to Welling United tomorrow for another difficult away game, and he thinks he may have given them a few things to think about after Saturday’s display in Essex.

“I was pleased we’ve gone to Chelmsford and given them a really good run for their money,” said Harris. “I read in the paper that the bookies weren’t taking bets on the game and if that’s not enough to get you motivated then I don’t know what is.

“I think we might have surprised a few people but we didn’t win any points and I still want to get points on the board.