WEYMOUTH Reserves may have gone into their Christmas break on the back of a damp squib, but boss Jake Richmond believes his squad have plenty to offer when they resume their campaign in the New Year.

The Terras’ scheduled Dorset Premier League clash at Shaftesbury Town was postponed on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch, which frustrated the Wey-mouth manager.

But he was keen to reflect on the positives during what has been a successful spell for his side of late.

With the reserves unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions, Gareth Will made the step up to the first team at Havant & Waterlooville last week, and was given around 20 minutes of action.

And nobody was happier for the midfielder than Richmond, who believes his selection was well deserved.

The manager told Echo-sport: “He is a great little footballer and he has been told all his life that because he is small, he will not be good enough.

“He is not the tallest or biggest lad but he would run through a brick wall for you, his work ethic is fantastic, he’s got a great attitude and is a pleasure to manage.

“He has done well for me. He was my player of the year last year and he has done well this year again.”

Defender Lee Sharpe, pictured, who featured in a handful of games at first-team level last term, has also stood out once again for the Wey-mouth chief.

“Lee Sharpe for me has been brilliant,” Richmond added.

“He has played at centre-back and right-back and I couldn’t tell you which is his best position is to be honest because wherever he has played he has been seamless.

“That’s how good a player he is and I think maybe a call-up is not too far away for him.

“I have got three or four that are like that and hopefully we have three or four coming up through the under-18s that are now in place to join us as well.

“We have to step it up massively from last season because the first team have stepped it up and the gap has got bigger, it’s our job to try and bridge that, and that’s what we will keep trying to do.”

Commenting on Saturday’s postponement, Richmond added: “It’s one of those things.

“I just find it astonishing that our game was off and no other games were off.”