Hutch's search goes on
By Adam Summers

Monday 26th July 2010

WEYMOUTH boss Ian Hutchinson vowed to step up his search for new faces following Saturday’s disappointing display at Grove Corner.

For the second friendly in succession, the Terras, who were involved in a goalless stalemate at Bridport last Tuesday, lacked quality and composure against lower league opposition as Dorset Premier League side Portland United held them to a 1-1 draw in what was the islanders’ first pre-season outing of the summer.

Hutchinson was visibly shaken by the performance and admitted that the Terras have a lot of hard work ahead if they are to be competitive in the Zamaretto Premier League, which kicks off in 19 days’ time.

He said: “The performance was again far from convincing. Like against Bridport, this was an opportunity for the lads to have a good go and stake a claim but the majority of them failed to do that.

“If we play like that against Hales-owen Town on the opening day of the season we will get blown away and it is clear that we are lacking experience.

“Hopefully we will have some new faces in the side for Tuesday’s game at Wimborne Town. We had hoped to have a few at Portland but they have all gone for trials at higher clubs.

“There will certainly be some new faces out there in three weeks’ time. We need them and that is a fact. We are lacking a lot of experience.”

The Terras handed run outs to seven former Portland players in Sam Clarke, Lewis Whyton, Alex Halloran, Richard Marshallsay, John Litherland, Scott Dixon and Sam Charles but only one of them impressed.

Clarke, who wore the captain’s armband, once again looked assured at the back, and Hutchinson is hoping his example will start to inspire others.

He added: “Sam is really showing his worth. He is a good character and got a lot about him, and he is the only one who has stood out at the moment.

“I think a few of the others could learn from him. They need to look at Sam’s attitude and character both in training and matches. He is no nonsense and goes about things in the right way.

“Most of the others seem to be playing with fear, when they should be relishing the opportunity. They are being given the chance to play for the biggest club in the area and it is up to them to take it. There is only so much Andy Mason and I can do. The rest is down to the individual.

“However, we are not throwing any tea cups around at the moment, far from it. A lot of these lads were only playing Dorset Premier League football last season and we need to keep working with them.

“They all have something about them and we are just waiting for it to come out. From day one we have been under no illusions that we would be against it this season but we will keep working hard and remain positive.”

Simon Radcliffe missed the game for Weymouth due to injury and he was joined on the sidelines by trialist Cheol Min-Kim, who suffered an ankle problem in the warm-up.

However, goalkeeper Tom Manley and centre-back Matt Oldring, who both signed one-year contracts the previous day, were included, along with the returning Jules Emati-Emati.

But it was a vibrant Blues’ side that took the lead on 34 minutes through substitute Mitch Conning, who tapped into an empty net after Manley could only palm out a fine volley by the impressive Alex Godfrey.

Halloran then levelled four minutes later with a free-kick from the left, which beat everyone to find the far corner of the net, but neither team could fashion a winner after the break as United claimed a share of the spoils.

Portland boss Stuart Heath, who was without the experienced duo of Jimmy Dailey and Matt White, said: “We are trying to bring on the youngsters and I thought that they showed a lot of potential for the future. There is good competition within the squad and at the moment I am pleased with how things are shaping up.”