Jason's determined to keep out Forest
By Matt Pitman

Tuesday 1st November 2005

GOALKEEPER Jason Matthews believes his FA Cup pedigree will stand him in good stead at Nottingham Forest.

And the Terras number one insists Garry Hill's side can cause a first round upset. Matthews who impressed in his last cup game against league opposition is hoping for a repeat performance on Saturday.

He told Echosport: "The last really big FA Cup game I was involved in was when I was at Exeter and we played Everton in the third round back in 2000.

"That day I was substitute but came on when our keeper Stuart Naylor was injured quite early on.

"It was a big occasion and the Match of the Day cameras were there and it turned into one of those days when everything went right.

"I made quite a few decent saves to keep Everton out and we ended up earning a 0-0 draw and a money-
spinning replay.

"It was a great day and hopefully I'll have another one on Saturday. "You always want to test yourself
against players at a higher standard and going to Forest gives us the chance to do that.

"They might have been relegated into Coca-Cola League One last season, but they've still got some top players.

"Forwards like David Johnson and Jack Lester have plenty of experience and facing them will be a big test.

Relish

"But I'm sure it'll be a challenge we'll relish and I'm confident we can defend well and give a good account of ourselves."

Matthews credits Weymouth's turnaround in fortunes with the arrival of boss Garry Hill in March this year.

"Garry has introduced a real air of professionalism at the club and I think that's been reflected in our recent run of results," he said.

"This is my fourth season at the club and I'm really enjoying my football at the minute.

"There's a great atmosphere around the place and going to Forest will definitely make up for the disappointments people have suffered in recent years."

Meanwhile, highly-rated Forest midfielder Kris Commons is definitely out of Saturday's clash after beingtold he has suffered an ankle ligament injury.

Common, linked with a £5 million move to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season, is set to miss two months of action following a series of tests.

Forest manager Gary Megson said: "Kris will be out for six to eight weeks but he's a quick healer and hopefully we'll get him back earlier.

`Any team would miss a player of his quality - let alone a team at the level we're at.

"He has been involved in a vast majority of the goals we have scored this season but these things happen - hopefully another player will emerge from the squad and take up the mantle."

• Portland United striker Luke Braund was on target for Weymouth in a 1-1 draw with Exeter City in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Wessex Stadium yesterday.

Terras boss Garry Hill used the game to give run-outs to a host of squad players.

They included Simon Downer, Dave Waterman, Tony Taggart, Aaron Lee-Barrett, Daniel Webb, Chukki Eribenne and Brian Dutton.