Hill for Terras?
By Adam Summers

Monday 6th September 2010

IAN Hutchinson has opened talks with another “experienced player” in a bid to strengthen his ailing squad.

Echosport understands the mystery man to be Kevin Hill, who was released by near neighbours Dorchester Town just last week.

Hutchinson is also keeping his fingers crossed that ex-Terras’ player-manager Matty Hale will join his ranks, which are in desperate need of a boost following a second successive Zamaretto Premier League defeat at Leamington on Saturday.

Weymouth dominated possession for long periods in the second half at the New Windmill Ground but they were unable to cancel out an early strike from Richard Batchelor, which handed the Brakes all three points.

Hutchinson, whose side remains cut adrift at the bottom on minus four points, nine adrift of safety, said: “We remain hopeful of bringing Matty in. We have done our best and put in seven days for him but the ball is in his court now.

“We have also spoken to another experienced player who has become available but at this stage I am not willing to reveal who that is.

“The budget is nearly there and we are having to juggle it around a little bit but we will continue doing everything in our means to strengthen the squad because without a shadow of a doubt we are still two players short.”

Meanwhile, speculation linking Crawley Town midfielder Byron Napper with a loan move to the Terras appears to be off the mark.

Hutchinson added: “I spoke to Crawley’s assistant-manager Paul Raynor the other day and he said Byron might be available but that is as far as it has gone.

“There were reports over the weekend suggesting that a deal has already been done but that is just paper talk.”

Hutchinson was an unused substitute against Leamington and there could be a chance that he will have a run out for the reserves on Wednesday when they take on Merley Cobham Sports at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

However, returning to action is something the Terras’ boss is still reluctant to do. He added: “It is a possibility but the game on Wednesday will also provide me with a good opportunity to have a look at the boys from the stand.

“Brendon King has got the team well drilled and it might be nice to sit there and have a look at things.

“Alex Halloran and Ollie Tribe came in and did well on Saturday and did their hopes of staying in the first-team squad no harm at all, and there are others pushing for a place as well.”

One player who imp-ressed for the reserves on Saturday in their 7-0 victory over Sturminster Newton United was midfielder Ben Reiffer.

Hutchinson said: “We like Ben. He has a lot of potential but these things do not always happen overnight.

"However, if he keeps knuckling down and playing well then there is every chance he will get his opportunity, which also goes for the rest of the players in the reserves because we are all as one.”