Douglas delight
By Adam Summers

FORMER Luton Town striker Stuart Douglas celebrated signing a new one-year deal with Weymouth by netting a fantastic brace in a 3-0 pre-season friendly win against Coca-Cola League One side AFC Bournemouth at the Wessex Stadium last night.

The 29 year-old produced a neat finish after a mistake by Josh Gowling to open the scoring and then doubled his tally with the Terras' third 20 minutes later when he cushioned a cross in the box and thundered home a half-volley on the turn.

The other man on target for the Blue Square Premier outfit was James Coutts.

The ex-Cherries man latched on to a pass by trialist Gavin Tomlin before blazing a shot into the net off the underside of the bar on 20 minutes.

Weymouth boss Jason Tindall, another ex-Bournemouth player, was delighted with his side's first pre-season outing.

He said: "You never know what to expect from the first pre-season friendly but the lads have been working hard in training and their work-rate out there tonight was very pleasing.

Of Douglas, Tindall added: "I have known Stuart for a long time and he has signed for us as a striker-cum-physio.

"He has played for Luton Town and Boston United but he has had a couple of injuries over the past couple of years. I have had my fair share of injuries and sometimes managers do not give you a second chance but I thought I would take a look at him in training and tonight he did very well.

"He is always looking to run in behind defences and he took his two goals superbly. He still has a bit of fitness work to do but there is no doubt that he is a good signing for us."

Douglas, who is a qualified sports therapist, enjoyed his first run out in a claret and blue shirt.

He said: "I was pleased with my performance and general fitness but it was all about the team tonight.

"Everyone was enthusiastic and put in a good work-out and we have all come out of it unscathed so we are all very happy.

"We have got a lot of players who are very comfortable on the ball and as long as we work hard when we have not got the ball no one will be able to get near us when we do have it.

"Bournemouth are a good team but tonight I think it would have been hard to guess who was the League One side."

Fellow new signings Sido Jombarti, Paolo Vernazza, Scott Doe and Kyle Critchell all put in solid performances on their debuts for the Terras who also fielded four trialists.

They were defenders Justin Roberts and Brian Glover, ex-Yeovil Town and Dorchester Town winger Gavin McCallum and former Brentford striker Gavin Tomlin.

Former Cherries winger Conal Platt, who finished last season with the Terras, also made an appearance for the hosts and will be holding contract talks with Tindall later this week.

Tindall said: "The trialists did well and so did those making their debuts.

"Ashley Vickers has signed now and I will be talking with Conal over the next couple of days. He missed the first week of training due to tonsillitis but he has fantastic ability and once he works on his fitness he will be fine."

Ex-Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Browning and new-signings Jefferson Louis and Jon Stewart all remained on the sidelines last night for the Terras.

Tindall added: "The game against Ringwood Town on Friday may be too early for Jefferson. He has got a thigh strain and Jon has a groin strain."