JASON Matthews was left cursing Mother Nature following Weymouth’s defeat at Chippenham on Saturday.

The Terras’ player-manager described the conditions at Hardenhuish Park as probably the worst he has experienced during his 20 years in senior football.

Driving rain, hail and a howling gale battered the Southern Premier Division clash which Chippenham won 2-1.

In fact, the wind was so bad in the first half that Matthews caught one of his own goal kicks after it was blown back to him.

Matthews gave credit to the hosts for taking their opportunities when they did and was disappointed his side didn’t play more to their strengths in the second half.

But he wasn’t too downbeat given the effort his players put in while taking a pummelling from the elements.

“I’ve played in men’s football for 20 years and those conditions in the first half were probably the worst I have played in,” he said.

“We were playing up the slope and the wind was gale-force against us, and then we had a hailstorm for a good five minutes where you couldn’t see because it was that hard.

“I felt I was striking the ball well but for a goal kick to blow back into my hands was a joke.

“It was a defeat but the conditions beat us.

“We dealt with the conditions well in the first half and went in 1-0 down, but the weather was totally different in the second half and with them on both occasions.”

Rob Dean’s header had put Chippenham ahead midway through the first period when a blunder by Matthews allowed Corey King to make it 2-0 just after the restart.

Stewart Yetton pulled one back following good work from new loan signing Niall Thompson, but the Terras couldn’t claim a point.

Matthews added: “I’m not too downbeat about it. The lads gave me everything and if we had played in slightly better conditions it could have been better.

“I was a little bit disappointed we didn’t play to our strengths in the first half and credit to Chippenham, they kept the ball well and limited us to a few chances in the second half.

“There were a few positives to come from it.

“Niall Thompson came in and did very well. He has got a lot of pace to burn and will probably start against Bashley on Tuesday, and Adam Kelly made his first start and also did well.”

That home encounter with Bashley tomorrow night (7.45pm) will give the Terras the chance to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.