That's better

8:55am Monday 10th March 2008

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WEYMOUTH manager John Hollins believes his side will soon start climbing the Blue Square Premier table if they continue to perform like they did in Saturday's 1-0 win over high-flying Stevenage Boro-ugh.

Paolo Vernazza ended a run of five home league games without a goal for the Terras when he found the net on 39 minutes and it proved enough to gain three valuable points.

However, with Altrincham and Farsley Celtic also winning it means Hollins' men remain in the bottom four.

The experienced boss said: "Both Altrincham and Farsley won but I do not worry about what others do.

"If we play like we did today for the rest of the season then the crowds will start coming back and we will start moving up the table."

The Terras thoroughly deserved their victory and were unfortunate not to score more against a Stevenage side that is currently in the play-offs.

Four days earlier Forest Green Rovers had recorded a 6-0 success at the Wessex Stadium and Hollins was delighted with the positive response.

He said: "We know the players have done it in the past so we always knew a result like this would come. We made a couple of subtle changes to the team but kept two up front and I thought the balance was better.

"The four midfield players did well and I also thought our defence was excellent especially in the first half. After the break they put us under a little bit more pressure but overall we thoroughly deserved the win.

"You could see all over the pitch that we just did not want to give anything away. We have been working on a few things since Tuesday and without a doubt our overall performance was 100 times better.

"We knew we could not put in another display like that embarrassing one again and today we were a lot more positive in everything we did and from the chances we created we deserved a few more goals."

On-loan defender Chris Black-burn made a good impact in his first start for the club but Hollins put the victory down to a fine team effort.

He said: "I thought Chris made a difference and I also thought Magnus Okuonghae was a lot more positive, and alongside two very good full backs we looked a lot more solid.

"However, in particular, I thought Paolo Vernazza and Anton Robin-son were both superb. They worked hard throughout and controlled the game.

"Tony Bedeau also did well and Nick Crittenden ran his heart out even though at times it was for little reward.

"In attack, Jake Hyde showed some excellent touches as did Stuart Beavon and together they looked a good combination."

One negative that came from the game was Trevor Challis' fifth booking of the season, which was totally undeserved.

Hollins said: "He got the ball and then because the referee blew their lad realised and stayed down. Marcus Browning has got two bookings recently for similar challenges and it is frustrating but we just have to get on with it."

Tomorrow Weymouth host Farsley in a huge six-pointer and Hollins sees it as a fantastic opportunity.

He said: "It is a massive game and they will be full of it but it is a great chance for us to put them back down behind us again."

Match report on Page 28