Terras caught cold by Cobham (From Dorset Echo)

Terras caught cold by Cobham

8:18am Tuesday 10th January 2012 in Match Reports By Adam Summers

WEYMOUTH RESERVES 1

MERLEY COBHAM SPORTS 2

JAKE Richmond was determined to focus on the positives after his side’s defeat to Merley Cobham Sports at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

The Terras paid the price for a lacklustre opening 20 minutes where they conceded two goals before going on to dominate the rest of the game.

Joint-boss Richmond told Echosport: “We went from the ridiculous to the sublime.

“In the first 20 minutes we were lackadaisical and all at sea.

“We tried to play in the wrong areas and got caught out for both their goals but after that we battered them for 70 minutes.

“We got one back just before half-time through Ryan McKechnie and then after the break we pinned them in their own half but just could not get the equaliser.

“We had 11 corners in the second half and had nine attempts on goal to their one.

“We hit the crossbar, had one cleared off the line and their keeper made a couple of good saves so in terms of the result it was very frustrating in the end.

“However, I would have given us 10 out of 10 in the second half and when you consider we had five teenagers in the starting XI and another two on the bench we can still take a lot of encouragement from the display.

“You are always going to get inconsistencies with youngsters but the only way they are going to improve and get experience is by playing and I thought there were some excellent performances out there.

“Matt Dunlop came in at centre-back in the absence of Rob Maxted and did well, particularly when you take into account he is only 16, and both Luke Winsper and Ashley Staines were outstanding.”

The defeat has seen the Terras slip to second-bottom in the Magna Dorset Premier League but Richmond is not too concerned.

He added: “No other team is blooding teenagers like we are and they are more than holding own against seasoned veterans at this level. They are also only going to get better with time and although it would be nice to have a few more points in the bag we are determined to continue with that policy.”

Luke Phillips and Joshua Reavenall-Nuete got the goals for Merley, who now sit three points above the Terras in 16th spot.

Terras: Povall, Sharpe, Dunlop, Anstey, Staines, Winsper, Jarvis, Skelton, Head, Zima, McKechnie. Subs not used: Perry, Holland, Moore.