JASON Matthews is tipping the Terras to rise to the occasion when they lock horns with title rivals Poole Town at Tatnam tomorrow (3pm).

In a contest where the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division’s top two are set to go head-to-head for the first time this term, the Weymouth chief is eager for his side not to fear the Dolphins and impose themselves on proceedings from the outset.

“We are looking to go there and get a result,” he told Echosport. “I want the lads to go there, enjoy the occasion, and if we play with no fear that is when the lads are at their best.

“I know from a personal point of view that when I enjoy my football I tend to play well, and that’s what I want my lads to do.

“They need to enjoy the occasion and see where it takes us.

“Poole have done well for a number of seasons, Tommy (Killick) is used to that and they probably fell away last season because they had too many games at the end.

“They are a good side and we will have to watch their danger men, they will watch ours, and hopefully it should be a great game.

“Whoever takes a result out of it, the momentum swings their way. At the same time, it’s not the end of the world if we lose.

“I know that is easy to say but we will go there in a positive frame of mind after reacting massively over the last couple of games.”

The Terras will make the short trip to Poole as league leaders after beating Chesham United at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Tuesday to return to the summit.

But with the bookmakers having Poole as odds-on favourites to lift the crown with as many as three games in hand over Weymouth, the minimum requirement of the visitors is to avoid defeat.

When asked if his side could handle the pressure, Matthews added: “A lot of my players have played at a higher level and it’s something they are used to, some people thrive on this sort of game.

“We have played Dorchester and won twice, that gave the lads a taste of it, but this is a different level because the top two teams are going toe-to-toe.

“We will look forward to going there and seeing what we can do.”

Ashley Wells is set to return for the Terras tomorrow after serving a three-match ban.

The Dolphins are likely to hand a debut to Portsmouth youngster Ben Close, who they signed on an initial one-month loan this week.

Terras (from): Matthews, Brooks, Rigg, Riley-Lowe, McPhee, Laird, Poole, Kelly, Colwell, Yetton, Reid, Sills, Shephard, Jevon, Fiddes, Copp, Wells