26th July 2003

Steve Claridge was singing the praises of his players despite Weymouth losing 1-0 to Conference outfit Stevenage Borough at the Wessex Stadium last night.

Rocky Baptiste's sixth-minute clincher condemned the Terras to a home pre-season loss with the hosts fielding a number of players whose futures are still to be decided.

Claridge plans to have another look at the trialists during today's run out against Chasetown (3pm).

He said: "The result is not that disappointing because we played pretty well against a good Conference club. The performances so far in pre-season have proved to me there is quality at the club, not just potential, and I'm going to have some hard decisions to make in the next week or so.

"In an ideal world I'd like to keep everyone because their attitudes have been spot on. Some on them have had offers from other clubs but want to stay here and the lads whose futures are still up in the air did their chances no harm whatsoever tonight."

The touring Stevenage side, many of whom are full-time, took the lead early on when the prolific Baptiste volleyed past 'keeper Jason Matthews from 12 yards.

Weymouth's best chances to get back on terms came through Jamie Impey's first-half bullet header cleared off the line by defender Lee Flynn and Lee Phillips' drive against a post.

The visitors also had chances, with Baptiste wasting a glorious opportunity just before the break.

The game degenerated into a scrappy affair after the interval with Graham Westley's side doing just about enough to claim victory.

* Trialist midfielder and former Plymouth star Martin Barlow has signed a two-year deal with the Terras.

However, manager Claridge admits the offer of a contract was the furthest thing from his mind when he Barlow first arrived for pre-season training.

Claridge explained: "I've got to be honest and say I didn't really fancy Martin when he first trained with us at Redlands. But I invited him back more out of courtesy than anything else.

"I'm glad I did because he does a lot of things that go unnoticed."