New boys to get first taste of derby fervour
by Matt Pitman

Thursday 23rd December 2004

STEVE Johnson reckons some of his Weymouth players won't know what has hit them on Boxing Day.

The head coach looks set to give at least six players their first taste of Dorset derby action when the Terras
travel over the Ridgeway to visit Dorchester Town.

And Johnson reckons the derby debuants could work to his side's advantage it the Avenue Stadium (3pm).

He told Echosport: "There's been a lot if changes since I came to the club with plenty of people coming and going and because of that it looks like there will be a lot of my squad playing in their first Dorset derby on Boxing Day.

"Lads like Charlie Welch, Danny Byrne, Kieron Keene, Kirk Jackson and a few others weren't here when we played Dorchester in the FA Cup earlier this season.

"The Weymouth-Dorchester derbies are the biggest games in the area and I for one, can't wait for it because it will be my first derby as well.

"There are great occasions for the fans and are truly part of the sporting culture in the area. .

"In many ways, I don't really think some of our newer players appreciate just how many fans we have got.

"When they run out on Boxing Day I think some of them won't know what has hit them because the vast majority of Dorchester's ground will contain our fans and that will be an inspiring sight.

"There's nothing I'd like more than for our fans to go to Dorchester in their thousands and get behind us passionately and noisily.

That would really spur the boys on and I'm certain if that happened it would go a long way towards us beating them.

"Also it would show people like Kirk, Danny, Charlie and the others that they made the right decision in joining us and that we are heading in the right direction."

Johnson, who has keeper Jason Matthews suspended for both festive period derbies, added he would be looking for a big contribution on the park from experienced trio Lee Phillips, lan Hutchinson and Steve Tully .
What we have to do up there is battle and really get stuck in and those three players will have a key part to play," he said.

"They have played in these games before, know what the occasion is all about and will be able to let some of the others know what to expect.

"I'm not worried about how the younger lads like Charlie will cope on the day or whether they will freeze
because kids seem to play without fear, especially in games like this one.

"The bottom line is I know I've got the quality in the side to win, but they have to make sure they do all the hard work and graft needed.

If they do that I'm confident we will be ones who will be celebrating come the final whistle."