The hard work starts now
By Brian Copp

WEYMOUTH recorded their first GM Vauxhall Conference victory in 16 matches under manager Gerry Gow at the Wessex Stadium on Saturday.

Unfortunately, with Weymouth already relegated, the solitary Andy Preece goal sucess over Fisher Athletic had a some what hollow ring to it.

And it also came against ten men.

Fisher's centre-back Ray Shinner was sent off in the 24th minute for kicking Martyn Grimshaw as he lay on the ground - and right in front of the referee!

Although glad the Terras had finished on a winning note and that he, had at long last got a victory on his record, Gow was not so impressed at the way his side finally achieved the three points.

He told me: "It was typical end-of-season stuff."

The manager wen on: "We have had a bad time. We are relegated and we are all disappointed. But this is where the hard work starts.

"I am looking to July 8 when we start pre-season training and getting down to the task of rebuilding and making determined efforts to abttle our way back."

As far as signing new players was concerened, Gow saud ge did not expect to have any immediate news for the fans.

"Players available usually sit around for a few weeks sizing up their situations," he said. "They are not usually in a hurry. But I can say at this stage that I have been in touch with some good men and hope to sign some of them later."

Weymouth's final game in the Conference for at least a season, produced little to enthuse over. The first-half was a bore with the only incidents of note, two diving saves by David fry, the former Weymouth player in the Fisher goal.

Fry, who hit the headlines when he came straight from his desk at Budmouth School to play for the Terras in an FA Cup-tie, also did well early in the second-half to come off his line and block a shot from Darren McBride.

But he had no chance in the 69th minute when Weymouth finally broke through the Fisher defence to grab the lead.

Paul Compton found Willie Gibson from a fre-kick. Gibson played the ball down the flank, and Preece cut inside to take the visitors by suprise and keep his head as he hit the goal which proved to be the winner.

Weymouth remained on top to achieve revenge for defeat earlier in the season at the Londoners' dockland-ground, with the wide-awake Fry constantly pulling his team out of trouble.

But on this occasion I made Preece the man-of-the match.

Crosses

For the past few games Gow has been playing him midfield and he had undoubtedly show improvement and produced some good crosses.

The Terras were also well served yet again by Compton and Ian Johnson at the back but overeall this was far from a match which will stay in the minds of the fans. Frankly Weymouth made hard work of it.