Terras rocked by Gerring ban
By Adam Summers
BEN Gerring is set to miss three out of the Terras’ first
five games of the season for the red card he picked up in the
Bob Lucas Memorial Trophy triumph at Dorchester Town on July
30.
Weymouth boss Brendon King had hoped the ex-Plymouth Argyle
defender would escape with a one-match ban but the Football
Association has refused to bend and given him the maximum punishment.
Gerring was dismissed for attempting to separate a fracas between
team-mate Ollie Tribe and Dorchester striker Rico Wilson, who
was also sent-off for his part in the clash.
King, whose side lost 6-1 last night against the Glenn Hoddle
Academy, said: “That fact we are going to lose Ben for
three games is very disappointing.
“He is eligible to play in our first two games against
Cambridge City and Bashley but will then miss the matches against
Leamington, Chippenham and Bedford, which are all going to be
tough.
“I thought he might just get one game after the referee
had said that his part in the incident was not malicious but
unfortunately that has not turned out to be the case.
“And the rules also state that you cannot appeal unless
you have video evidence so basically all we can do now is just
move on and plan for those three games without him.”
AFC Bournemouth defender Tim Stephenson could be the man to
fill the void. He came on in the second half at the Bob Lucas
Stadium last night and King is interested in drafting him on
loan.
He added: “I have got to speak to Lee Bradbury (Cherries’
boss) about that and also discuss the situation with the board.
But there is no doubt that with no Ben Gerring now for three
games we could do with another centre-half.”
Another player who has been ruled out for the start of the campaign
is Jamie Beasley, whose been told by a doctor to keep his broken
hand in a cast for four weeks.
King said: “That is another real blow especially as Jamie
also has a 35-day suspension coming up as well.
“The injury and the ban are likely to keep him out now
until late September.
“We did ask whether there was any possibility he could
start the season and undergo treatment during his suspension
but we have been told that cannot be done and at the end of
the day we have to be sensible.”
The Terras held their own during the first 45 minutes against
Hoddle’s side but the visitors stepped it up a gear in
the second half to run out comfortable winners after their
opponents had made a host of substitutions at the break.
A brace from Alex Fisher put the academy 2-1 up at the interval
with Stephen Reed replying for Weymouth.
However, a six-minute hat-trick from Dave Hutton early in
the second period soon put the result beyond doubt with Ollie
Devenney adding further gloss in the latter stages.
King said: “I thought they were a decent side. They were
fit and strong, and I was particularly impressed with their
movement off the ball, which was fantastic.
“To be fair though, we held our own in the first half
and although I was disappointed with our ball retention at
times we did create a few chances.
“In the second half they then stepped up the pace and
where we had made quite a few changes we got caught out but
overall it was a good experience.”
Hoddle, Graham Rix and Dave Beasant were all present at the
clash, which attracted a good crowd of 583.
The Terras will also be in action tonight when they host Bideford
in their final pre-season game (7.45pm) and admission is priced
at £1 for all.
Terras – First half: Jordan, Tribe, Dixon, Reed, Gerring,
Poole, Marshallsay, Wolleaston, Groves, Byerley, Tasker.
Second half: Manley, Lang, Tasker (Holland 64), Halloran,
Gerring, Stephenson, Conning, Wolleaston (Ironside 64), McKechnie,
Bassett, Toghill.
J&C Accountants Ltd Terras’ Man of the Match: Rob
Wolleaston *The flag at the Bob Lucas Stadium is flying at
half mast in memory of Royal Marine James Wright who was killed
in Afghanistan
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