SWANAGE TOWN & HERSTON 1 WEYMOUTH RESERVES 3

THE Terras’ three substitutes all played pivotal roles in their side snatching three points at Days Park.

Ashley Staines, Oscar Preece and Paul Ford came on as second-half replacements to have an impact on the game, which had looked like finishing as a draw at one stage.

Carl McClements gave the away side the lead on 22 minutes only for the hosts to equalise through Jack Watson just after the hour mark.

However, Preece made it 2-1 when following up an effort from Ford that had been saved, then, on the stroke of full-time, Staines found Ford and he slotted home to make the victory safe.

And Weymouth boss Jake Richmond was quick to praise the trio for contributing towards the visitors staying top of the Dorset Premier League.

“The most pleasing thing on Saturday was that we kept going right to the end and our fitness work paid off, like it has before this season,” he said.

“Also, another plus was that the lads who came off the bench made a difference, again, like our substitutes have all season.

“All three of them had a massive impact on the game and had a big part to play in two of our goals.”

He went on to add: “We didn’t play very well, but our work in training helped in the last 15 minutes on a really heavy pitch.

“We weren’t as good as we could have been in the first half, though we got our noses in front and didn’t look in any trouble.

“Matt Harvey crossed to the near post and Carl McClements scored with a shot across the keeper, then Ryan Park made a great save on 35 minutes to keep it at 1-0.

“We huffed and puffed a bit in the second half and they were causing us a few problems from set-pieces.

“They got it back to 1-1 with a free header from a free-kick and after that Ryan made two really good saves for us.

“Then just when I thought we were hanging on in the last 15 minutes, Oscar Preece scored from 12 yards and Paul Ford side-footed the ball under the keeper at the end.”

Richmond expects to have a number of players back for the trip to second-placed Portland United on Tuesday night (6.30pm).

Looking forward to the top-of-the-table fixture, Richmond added: “Portland are going to win the title.

“They have got lots of games in hand and are the best team in the league.

“Gary (Bailey) has done a great job after having to follow Chris Wilson as manager.

“We’ve done well staying at the top for as long as we have and all we can say to the boys is to be the best they can be.”

Terras: Park, Harvey, J Will (Staines 55), Butcher, Anstey, G Will, Asagba (P Ford 75), Nichols, Byatt (Preece 47), McClements, Pidgely