Hill's rally call
By Matt Pitman

Friday 11th November 2005

GARRY Hill wants fans to help fire Weymouth towards the top of the Conference South table tomorrow.

The Terras boss is urging supporters to turn out in big numbers for the visit of third-place Welling United at Radipole Lane (3pm).

In a dress rehearsal for Monday night's FA Cup first round replay with Nottingham Forest, the hosts know victory would lift them within touching distance of the league summit with games in hand.

Hill is keeping tight-lipped about the clash with Forest, who face AFC Bournemouth at Dean Court tomorrow.

He told Echosport: "Other events might be on everyone's minds which I'm not getting, drawn into at this time but I can't' express enough 'how important the Welling home game is tomorrow.

"We are ticking along nicely at the moment on our 12-match unbeaten run and Welling are third in the league so the clash has all the makings of a cracker.

"At the moment we're five points behind leaders Lewes with three games in hand and a win for us tomorrow would be a massive result and really put us in the mix at the top of the table.

"But I'm convinced that to get the al limportant three points we're going to need our fans more than ever.

"Having sold more than 6,000 tickets for the cup replay on Monday night, it would be nice to think we'll get a gate of over 2,000 for the Welling game.

"The Weymouth public have seen recently what we're capable of and what we're trying to achieve - and we're definitely on the right track.

"Some might claim they've heard the record all before from Weymouth, but at the moment a lot of people are liking our tune.

"We've just got to make sure we continue making the right music for the public to dance to."

Hill hinted he may make, changes from, the side which comprehensively beat Basingstoke Town in midweek.

"We're in the middle of a run of four games in nine days and that is pretty heavy going for any squad to take," he said.

"Some players react to that without any problems, and enjoy competing in every game, while others can need wrapping up in cotton wool occasionally.

''At the moment our squad is down to 17 or 18 in number from 23 or 24 earlier in the season and so my options are not limitless.

"The signing of Craig O'Connor shows we're looking to strengthen and it may well be that we're fetching one or two others between now and Christmas."

Meanwhile Weymouth will have to wait a little longer to discover the full extent of Wayne Purser's eye injury.

The striker visited a specialist earlier this weekbut has been told 'more tests will be required.

Hill said: "Wayne has a problem with what we believe is a blood clot in his eye but the problem hasn't been fully diagnosed yet.

"He has to undergo more tests in the next week or so and once that happens we'll be a bit clearer about how long he is likely to be out."

A minute's silence will be held before the game tomorrow in memory of Terras legend Phil Stocker who died recently aged 72.

A handful of tickets for Weymouth's televised FA Cup first round replay with Forest on Monday night are available.

More details from the Barclays Suite at the Wessex Stadium or by calling Weymouth FC on 01305 785558.