Bound's back (From Dorset Echo)

Bound's back

9:39am Monday 14th September 2009 in Club News By Ky Capel

WESSEX RETURN: Matt Bound

MATTY Hale hopes to complete the signing of former Weymouth captain Matt Bound today.

Bound, who led the Terras to the Conference South title in 2006, is expected to return on non-contract terms and could be in the squad that travels to Newport County on Wednesday evening.

Terras’ boss Hale, who saw his side lose 2-1 at Thurrock on Saturday, is excited by the prospect of linking up with the 36-year-old defender.

He said: “Matt’s got experience in abundance and that’s what we need in the squad. He’s a great character as well.

“He’ll come in on non-contract terms to start with and then we’ll take it from there.”

Bound is set to become Hale’s second signing in three days after left-sided midfielder Andy Caton made his debut at Thurrock.

Hale admitted to seeing “encouraging signs” in his side’s fourth straight loss but believes his players still need to improve their fitness levels.

The Terras, currently rooted to the foot of Blue Square South, held a first-half lead at Ship Lane courtesy of Josh Klein-Davies’ first competitive goal for the club.

But the visitors faded in the second period and Phil Anderson and Matt Paine struck in the 64th and 75th minutes to claim all three points for the hosts.

The Weymouth chief said: “We were probably a bit unfortunate to lose the game but that’s how it goes in football sometimes. We looked a lot more organised from the start and things were going well at 1-0 up.

“We defended well but we were still breaking well and creating chances. But it appears that some of the lads aren’t fit enough, as in the last 20 minutes of games we struggle to compete and are letting ourselves down.

“So that’s something I’ve got to look at and try to improve as it’s one of the reasons why we’re bottom.

“There were some encouraging signs at Thurrock though, and the lads looked a lot more comfortable with the way we set up.

“Earlier in the week we worked on playing five across the back so Scott Brice was going to play anyway but David Obaze was late to the game so he missed out. Ian Hutchinson played and gave us that extra bit of experience, as did Andy Harris.”

Of Caton, who came in for the suspended Matt Groves, Hale added: “We’ve been looking for somebody to come in on the left side and having played at Team Bath last year, and Oxford City this year, Andy’s got experience playing at a good level.”

Weymouth will be in the hat for today’s FA Cup second qualifying round draw.

The Terras’ board meanwhile, is set to meet this evening to discuss the next step in the club’s future after the Terras Saviour 100 reached its target of raising £50,000 on Friday.