9:22am Monday 8th March 2010
By Derek Bish
JERRY Gill said he was “proud as punch” after watching his charges give champions-elect Newport County a stern test.
The Terras fell behind early but hit back through Josh Llewellyn’s lob, only for the Exiles to net twice inside the final 15 minutes.
However, Gill was also left angry about referee Daniel Cook’s decision not to send off Martyn Giles for a foul on Luke Benbow when the teenage striker was clean through on goal.
“I am absolutely fuming about it,” said Gill. “I was going mad on the sideline.
“The referee can’t explain it to me. I went in his dressing room at half-time and he’s told me the defender touched the ball but the ball hasn’t moved off its line, Luke is through on goal and it was a big decision.
“Because the big boys have come to town I think he has bottled it.”
If the foul had been awarded it would have left Weymouth with a free-kick on the edge of the box and Newport down to 10 men with more than two thirds of the match still to play.
But although they conceded seconds after levelling, Gill was delighted with the Terras’ performance – particularly considering a number knew it would be their last game.
“I’m proud as punch – that was a top-class performance,” he said. “We’ve matched a team that are going to be playing Blue Square Premier Football next year – it’s terrific.
“Every single one of my players have been absolutely terrific. I’m proud as punch to say I’m manager of Weymouth Football Club.
“Losing 3-1, that may sound a bit strange but we didn’t deserve a 3-1 out of that. We deserved to get back in it at 1-1 but their goal came straight after we’ve scored, which was a bit disappointing.
“We looked dangerous, solid and energetic. I told them to play with a smile on their face and they did just that.”
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