WEYMOUTH 1 BRISTOL CITY DEVELOPMENT XI 0

BOSS Jason Matthews admitted he felt his side’s fitness was “fantastic” as they secured their first win of pre-season, against a Bristol City Development XI at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

A neat late finish from midfielder Billy Lowes five minutes from time ensured that Weymouth, who enjoyed some extremely positive spells during the second period in the friendly fixture, eventually emerged victorious by a solitary goal.

As well as starts for trialists Dan Thomas and Dan Smith, the Terras also gave defender Thiago Marques a place in their starting XI.

Aaron Rodriguez, who played against Matthews’ men for Gillingham Town in last year’s Dorset Senior Cup final, also made a big impact coming off the bench.

Assessing his side’s display, the Weymouth player-manager told Echosport: “I learnt a lot and I felt our fitness was fantastic, which was the main thing for pre-season.

“I felt a few of the newer lads and trialists did extremely well.

“We don’t want to get too carried away but it was a very worthwhile exercise and I thank Bristol City for coming down.”

He added: “The first half was quite even but we did look potent going forward and that was something a little bit different to what we had last year.

“I obviously have a couple of wingers in on trial and I felt that they did really well again. I am really pleased.

“Charlie Davis had a great game and there were a few other standout performances. Jake Wannell’s performances in the first two games have been really good as well.”

The Terras’ next pre-season clash comes at Barnstaple Town on Friday (7.45pm).

Terras: Thomas, Wells (Cooper 46), Marques (Rodriguez 46), Evans (Lowes 46), Wannell (James 74), Brooks (Butcher 72), Smith, Davis, Copp, Thomson
(Yetton 46), Shephard (Jevon 64).