Terras close the gap
By Adam Summers

Monday 30th August 2010

IAN Hutchinson has urged his team to stamp their authority on their home turf ahead of this afternoon’s mouth-watering clash against Bashley at the Bob Lucas Stadium (3pm).

Weymouth picked up their first three-point haul of the season on Saturday courtesy of a 3-1 success at Evesham United and now the Terras’ boss wants to see a similar display from his men in front of their own fans.

Hutchinson’s side received a 10-point deduction at the start of the season but six points from their opening five games has seen them move to within touching distance of the clubs just above them in the Zamaretto Premier Division. And there is huge incentive for the Terras to record another win today, as that would see them move just three points adrift of Bashley, who sit second-bottom following a winless start to the campaign.

But Hutchinson is not thinking about the permutations, he just wants another positive display.

He said: “We cannot think about the points. We have just got to go into the game in a positive frame of mind and try and stamp our authority on our home turf like we have done away.

“But it will not be easy. Bashley have not started the season well but that counts for nothing. It is a bit of a local derby and we will need to put in another big performance to get something from the game.

“We had great support at Evesham and hopefully we will get a good crowd this afternoon. It is still early days but if we continue with the same application then the rewards will be there for us.”

Pierre Joseph-Dubois is expected to be available today despite suffering an ankle injury in Saturday’s victory, while new-signings Rob Nicholls and Shane White are in line to make their home debuts.

Hutchinson will also have to decide whether to recall Sam Charles to the first-team squad after he netted a double hat-trick for the reserves in their 10-1 win over Swanage Town & Herston in the Magna Dorset Premier League.

Meanwhile, the Terras will travel to Taunton Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup after they beat Tavistock 2-1. The tie will take place at Wordsworth Drive on September 11.