Start believing
By Adam Summers

Wednesday 3rd January 2007

"WE have got to start believing we can win promotion."

That is the message from Weymouth defender Roy O'Brien who is curr-ently recovering after beingxushed to hospital with concussion during Monday's 3-2 Nationwide Conference National defeat at Forest Green Rovers.

The Irishman made his first start since December 2 at New Lawn but his appearance only lasted 39 minutes due to an accidental elbow to the head. Ashley Vickers, who later in the game had to come off with a hamstring injury, was the man that replaced him.

O'Brien said: "I caught an elbow in the head and got a cut eye and a bit of concussion. I am still not 100 per cent and I keep getting headaches all the time but it happens.

"I had to go to hospital by ambulance and I felt like I wanted to sleep all the time. I was coming in and out and I was a bit shaken up but now I am just resting.

"It is not the best start to the year important time in the season. There are a lot of injuries about and all we can do is hope things go well." Weymouth have slipped to fifth in the table and with trips to Halifax Town (January 20) and Exeter City (January 23) to come after Saturday's home clash with fourth-placed Burton Albion, the Terras are aware that they are going to have to work hard to remain in the promotion chase.

O'Brien said: "There does not seem to be any respite at the moment but the one good thing about that is that there is no waiting about for the next game.

"The important thing is that we get back on track as quickly as possible. No one is taking the league by the scruff at the moment. It is there to be won and we can only lose it at ourselves.

"We have lost our last two games but both were there for the taking. Had we got something from both of them it would have put us right in the mix and that is why it is disappointing but we are still up there and we have got to start believing we can win promotion."

Burton's top scorer Daryl Clare may former Boston United hitman, who has netted 12 times already this season, was scheduled to have a hand operation yesterday,

Albion manager Nigel Clough told the Burton Mail: "Daryl has managed to get by with his hand strapped up
but he has been told he needs the knuckle setting properly or face the possibility of problems later in life.

"He's going to need a few days' rest after the operation because of the effects of the anaesthetic, so at this point, he is doubtful for the Weymouth game."

• Former Terras chairman Ian Ridley has resigned as a director of St Albans City.

He said: "I am a little disappointed unvolved in helping to run the club as much as I would have liked, but I have enjoyed my year on the board. I thank John Gibson for the opportunity, wish the Saints well and will continue to watch whenever I get the chance."