Must-Win Terras Face the Strugglers
By Matt Pitman

Friday 11th February 2005

STEVE Johnson today labelled Weymouth's crucial Nationwide Conference South trip to Redbridge tomorrow as 'must win'.

The Terras travel to the struggling Essex outfit eager to bounce back following last weekend's miserable home defeat to Welling and stay in the hunt for the play-offs.

Goal shy Redbridge have scored just once in their last seven league games and are nine games without a victory.

And Johnson says Weymouth have a great opportunity to get a maximum haul against a side on a wretched run of form.

He said: "It's a must-win game tomorrow, there's no two ways about it.

"Losing in the way we did against Welling was a big blow and means our task of getting into the play-offs is made that little bit harder.

"But what is important now is that we bounce back in the best way possible and show last week was just a blip and nothing more serious.

"Redbridge are on a poor run at the moment and we have to be looking to take the game to them.

"I've been pleased with the players response at training this week and I'm confident they are determined to put on a 100 per cent better performance.

"But despite us being favourites at Redbridge, it certainly won't be easy.

"The ground and pitch up there is not the best which we know from when we lost at Redbridge in the FA Trophy in December.

"It will be a test of character but one we have to get through to keep up the pressure on Hornchurch and the other sides in and around the play-off zone."

Defender Dave Waterman returned to light training this week but Johnson says he is another few days away from full fitness.

One selection poser for the Terras chief is whether to choose at right back from either Mark Boyce or Steve Tully, who this week withdrew a transfer request.

But Johnson is keeping tight-lipped over who will get the nod.

He said: "I've got a choice to make in that area and have a few other options open to me but I'm going to think about it over the next day before making a definite decision."

Weymouth plan to start a trial run of fulltime training next week at Redlands - something Johnson is looking forward to.

'A total of 15 players so far have agreed to do it between now and the end of the season C which is great," he said.

"Those that can't train during the day will take part in the usual sessions on a Tuesday and Thursday evening.

Meanwhile big defender Jamie Impey has departed the club after a couple of injury-hit years at the Wessex Stadium.

The former Dorchester centre half has agreed with the Terras to terminate the remaining three months of his contract with the club.

"I arrived at the club in November and Jamie has been injured in that time," said Johnson.

"The club asked me if he was part of my long-term plans because Jamie's contract is up at the end of this season. 1 said he wasn't and Jamie has now left the club. 1 wish him all the best for the future.