JAMIE Laird has described scoring in his first Ridgeway derby as an unbelievable experience, and took the time to pay tribute to the fans at the Bob Lucas Stadium for making the occasion so memorable.

The central defender wrote his name in Terras’ folklore on Monday during the 2-0 win, when he headed home Weymouth’s second in front of the home fans to virtually put the game to bed and seal three unforgettable points.

“It was brilliant and the crowd there was unbelievable,” he told Echosport.

“It helps us as players so much with the fans we have because it just gives you that extra 10 per cent.

“I have played in front of about 1,000 for Bridgwater v Taunton before, but it was nothing of that sort of magnitude, it was amazing.”

Talking about his priceless goal, his second of the league campaign, Laird added: “After I headed it I saw it bounce and take a few ricochets and I just wanted to make sure that I got the goal, after that it was just pure emotion.

“The main job for me coming in is to try and stop goals and keep clean sheets, which we did on Monday.

“We have leaked too many goals for my liking this season so far but for me to score a goal on top of that is just an added bonus really."

With his defensive partner Ed Palmer having to limp off with an ankle injury late on in the derby, which manager Jason Matthews is still waiting to find out the extent of, Laird is confident that if Palmer is ruled out, Sam Poole can come into the back four and deliver.

He added: “I have played with Sam quite a few times now and I know he will come in and do just as well as Ed would do anyway.

“There is still a lot to come from the players, we are still on a learning curve and we are only going to get better.”