MARK Ford reckons the next three games are “make or break” in the Terras’ bid to secure a play-off place in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.

The Weymouth striker, who is set to put pen to paper on a new two-year contract, believes this afternoon’s home clash against Chesham (3pm) and the following encounters against Redditch and Bashley hold the key to his side’s top-five hopes as the season edges ever closer to its concluding month.

Ford told Echosport: “If someone had said at the start of the season that we would be in fifth place with seven or eight games to go I think any Weymouth fan would have taken that.

“We now have some big games coming up against Chesham and Redditch at home and then Bashley away, and if we can take the full nine points from those it would then put us right in the mix.

“Those next three games are basically going to make or break our season.”

It is clear Ford is fully focused on the job at hand and he admits his side owe the fans a big performance this afternoon.

He added: “Last Saturday’s 5-0 defeat at Stourbridge was a bit of a blip and I think it has brought everyone back down to earth a little bit.

“It really put us in our place and made us realise we still have a lot of work to do to get to where we want to go.

“A lot of our fans travelled up to the game and we know the display we put in was nowhere near good enough.

“However, we also know if we could get the three points today it would more than make up for it.”

Commenting on his contract situation, Ford went on to say: “When I first came here, Brendon King asked me to go out and make an impact and I have been enjoying my football here ever since, so when they offered me a new deal I was more than happy to sign.

“A few other players have agreed deals as well and the fact the nucleus of the squad is sticking together is very positive for the future.”

Ford has so far netted 23 goals in all competitions this season for the Terras, who currently sit fifth, three points above Chesham, who hold a game in hand.