WEYMOUTH Reserves’ boss Bradley Asagba says that the challenge facing his young side to break into the first team is unlike any other in the league.

The Terras, who travel to Shaftesbury on Saturday (3pm), have grown into the season in Wessex Division One. Despite holding his side in high regard, Asagba believes the prospect of making the step up is a daunting one.

He said: “I think it’s only Chippenham and ourselves who have a reserve side who play at a competitive level and that is a real positive.

“The problem these players have is that the first team isn’t just any team, its Weymouth, and with that comes massive expectations. The objective for Jason (Matthews) and the first-team players is to get out of this league and be challenging in the league above.

“Other teams playing Southern League football have slightly different objectives. There certainly aren’t many clubs in this area who have a fan base and infrastructure the size of Weymouth so that’s what makes it difficult for these lads to step up.

“We’ve had several players over the last 12 months who have left our side to play Southern League football, or play in the Wessex Premier Division, and I certainly feel this is the strongest a reserve team at this level has been for the last five years.”

Despite the huge challenge facing his side, Asagba has been pleased to see a number of his players battling to make the step up into the first team.

He added: “In terms of ability we have at least five or six players who could do a job for the first team and that’s been illustrated by Jason calling them up. The demands of playing for Weymouth’s first team are different than what they are for other clubs.”