Kiteley: First team is top priority (From Dorset Echo)

Kiteley: First team is top priority

8:20am Friday 4th December 2009 in

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WEYMOUTH Reserves’ manager Dave Kiteley insists Dorset Premier League glory is secondary to smoothing the transition between reserve and first team.

The Terras are currently second in the league, a single point behind Hamworthy Recreation and seven in front of their nearest challengers.

Despite title success perhaps beckoning, Kiteley is adamant that he would sacrifice silverware if it meant Ian Hutchinson’s Blue Square South side benefited.

He said: “The role of a reserve team is to provide players to the first team if and when required and my priority is the development of the players.

“I wouldn’t sign a 30-year-old who had scored 30 goals a season in this league if there was no chance that he would go on to represent the first team.

“I’d rather get hold of 19 and 20-year-old lads who may not be the finished article but who have the potential to improve and to go on to greater things at the club.

“There is no reason we can’t win the league and act as a bridge to the first team, but winning the league is not as important to me as seeing the first team flourish, and that’s how it should be.”

Weymouth welcome lowly Hamwor-thy United Reserves to the Wessex Stadium tomorrow (2pm) tasked with arresting a run of indifferent results.

Their last six matches in all competitions have produced just one victory but the Terras hold fond memories of Hamworthy United, having beaten them 3-0 on the opening day of the season.

Kiteley believes the off-field uncertainty at the club is reflected in his side’s downturn in results, although he is hoping they will pick up now that its future appears to be secure.

He added: “For the first 10 games we had a settled side and our results suggested that. Since then the club has been in turmoil and we’ve struggled for continuity.

“Hopefully now the off-field situation at the club is settling down we can think about bringing in players and becoming more consistent in selection.”

Joe Smith has joined long-term casualties Callum Ross-Jennins and John Lamb on the treatment table after sustaining a knee injury in last week’s 1-1 draw with Poole Borough.

Andy Howard is set to be out for at least another fortnight with a knee injury.

Terras (from): Neish, Vincent, Rosario, Poole, Loader, Nicholls, Tribe, Head, Reiffer, McKechnie, Morley, O’Conner, Sibbick, Byfield.