Claridge's wing mission
by Matt Pitman

28th July 2003

Steve Claridge is to step up his hunt for a winger after a youthful Weymouth could only manage a goalless draw with Midland Alliance outfit Chasetown.

The Terras boss said he was disappointed with a number of trialists hoping to win a contract at the club during the host's second warm-up game at the Wessex Stadium in under 24 hours.

Claridge revealed he wants to sign another couple of players ahead of their Dr Martens League season opener on August 16.

He said: "A few of the players looked like they weren't enjoying it out there and certainly didn't do themselves justice.

"They have all had a few chances to impress now and while today wasn't a good game to watch, it certainly helped me decide on a few things.

"I've always said it would take me a year to 18 months to get us to where we want to be on the footballing side. A problem we have now is that we've got very little natural width and nobody who can take players on and I certainly feel we need one or two additions in that area.

"But I'm not desperate to sign someone just for the sake of it because I want to be careful as we are nearly at the wage limit. We spent around £20,000 on essential ground improvements over the summer which ate into the funds and there's not a lot left. But I'm confident we'll get the right person over time."

The plucky Staffordshire based visitors defied their two divisions below Weymouth status in the pyramid by creating the better openings during a game that was low on chances.

Nick Harrison floated a chip over Paul Gadsby's bar early on and Neil Auction's diving header in the driving rain flashed inches wide just before the break.

At the other end, striker Lee Phillips drilled into the side netting and Kevin Gill should have done better when put clean through against untested Chase keeper Adam Lane on 51 minutes.

Despite hogging possession for much of the contest, the under-strength hosts created little although defender Dennis had a couple of decent openings to break the deadlock late on.

First his goalbound header was hacked away by Dave Cockbill then, just before time, he was inches away from connecting to Simon Browne's cutback.

Claridge added: "The fact we had two games in under 24 hours is no excuse for the performance. I'm not too worried about the result because I know what my first choice team can do as the win at Aldershot proved. But some of the lads had a chance to put themselves into contention today and they did not do that."

* ONE player who will not be playing for Weymouth next season is midfielder Gary Funnell to whom Claridge has decided not to award a contract.

Funnell will instead sign a fresh deal with Dr Martens Eastern Division side Salisbury City, where he spent last term.