Terras start with a derby double
By Matt Pitman

Friday 1st July 2005

TERRAS boss Garry Hill admits he is relishing the prospect of hosting rivals Havant and Waterlooville to kick off the new Conference South season.

Weymouth face two local derbies to open their campaign - the Hawks visit the Wessex Stadium on Saturday, August 13, before Hill's side make the short trip up the M27 to Eastleigh four days later.

The Terras manager reckons his title hopefuls face a tough start, but says he is delighted to get their championship challenge underway at Radipole Lane.

He told Echosport: "Facing two local derbies to start the season is going to be a tough task, because those type of games are always much tighter and closely fought than most other fixtures.

"But facing Havant and Eastleigh, who will be eager to put one over on us, is a mouth-watering start for our supporters and I'm looking forward to it.

"The derbies give our new players a chance to get to grips with life in Conference South very quickly and that is important as a manager.

"I'm confident we're going to enjoy a good season but if that's to happen it's important we get points on the board early against both Havant and Eastleigh."

Hill added: "What pleases me most is that we're at home on the opening day and I'm hoping our fans turn out in big numbers on August 13.

`A crowd of over 2,000 would really send a message that we mean business this season and reaffirm to our new signings the ambition that exists at the club.

"A big home support can be worth a goal start and with the added spice of playing Havant on the opening day, hopefully we'll see the terraces packed to the rafters."

The Terras host rivals Dorchester Town on Boxing Day, with the reverse fixture on January 2, and a home game with Bishop's Stortford sandwiched between on December 31.

The championship hopefuls close the campaign with a home game on April 29 against Sussex outfit Lewes, themselves being tipped for a title challenge by many pundits.

Weymouth close their season with two of their last three fixtures at the Wessex Stadium.

Hill added: "I haven't looked at the fixtures in too much detail yet but I've looked at the opening few games, the Christmas period and our run-in.

"I'm pleased that we start and end our season at home, that's all you can ask for, and hopefully come April 29 against Lewes we'll have something to celebrate."