WEYMOUTH RESERVES 0 HAMWORTHY RECREATION 1

WEYMOUTH reserve-team boss Jake Richmond took full responsibility for his side’s disappointing defeat at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Saturday.

Rec won this top-of-the-table tussle with a controversial goal at the end of the first half, but Richmond had no complaints at the final whistle.

He told Echosport: “We did not play very well in the first half and I take responsibility for a lot of it.

“We usually shut down high up the pitch but I asked the lads on this occasion to sit off them a bit more and be harder to break down.

“Unfortunately, the change didn’t really work and they ran us ragged.

“I am still learning as a manager and I think that was a big lesson for me.

“I got caught out worrying too much about them and it is clear I need to learn from that.”

Commenting on the game in more detail, Richmond went on to add: “Ryan Park made several fine saves in the first half and I thought there was a foul on him in the lead up to their goal.

“Their lad went up with Ryan and appeared to impede him but the referee didn’t give it.

“In fairness, they did deserve to be ahead at that point but not in that way.

“Ryan was on fire and had that foul been given I think it may well have gone on to end 0-0.”

Conor Jevon fired over for the Terras on five minutes before Park, playing against his former side, pulled out three fantastic saves.

Rec took the lead on 43 minutes but the hosts did have a chance to level right at the death.

Sam Nichols’ header seemed to be heading goalwards but struck the back of substitute Paul Ford, allowing the danger to be cleared.

Richmond added: “We were poor in possession in the first half but in the second it was much more even.

“I think for the effort we put in, we may have just about deserved a draw but it wasn’t to be and now all we can do is move on to the next game.”

Despite the loss, the Terras remain top of the Dorset Premier League but are now just two points clear of Rec, Portland United and Merley Cobham Sports, who all hold games in hand.

Terras: Park, Harvey, Butcher, Anstey, Zima, Asagba (J Will 65), Nichols, Preece (P Ford 60), Beals, G Will, Jevon. Subs not used: Jackson, Sargent.