AFTER overcoming Dorking Wanderers in their play-off semi final thanks to a late Yemi Odubade strike, Weymouth Football Club has praised its fans for celebrating at home.

Manager Mark Molesley praised his side after the game and now Weymouth are just 90 minutes away from securing back-to-back promotions.

The game was available to watch online as part of the National League’s streaming service and, with fans banned from grounds due to the coronavirus pandemic, the club issued a statement following the win thanking fans for not gathering at the ground.

A club spokesman said: “Weymouth Football Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our supporters for obeying the government guidance and for following Saturday’s playoff semi-final victory over Dorking Wanderers away from the Bob Lucas Stadium.

“We are, of course, disappointed that we could not share the occasion with you in person and look forward to a day when crowds can return to the Bob Lucas Stadium.

“We were extremely pleased that there were no reports of supporters attempting to enter the grounds surrounding the stadium. Thank you from everybody at the club; the players, management team, staff and our Covid officer.

“We hope everybody enjoyed the game wherever you were following it. It was great to see so many photos and videos of fans supporting the Terras from home and local bars. Your support really does mean so much and we are asking that you can support us in the exactly the same way for our playoff final against Dartford this Saturday afternoon.”

Meanwhile, the club has launched a shirts and flags appeal to help replicate the usual matchday atmosphere at the Bob Lucas while fans are banned.

A spokesman added: “Without fans in the ground, it looks rather strange, we’d like to get a bit more Claret and Blue around the terraces for this Saturday’s Final.

“With that in mind, are there any local fans who have shirts or flags that they can drop in at the club by Thursday lunchtime so that we can put them up around the ground? Ideally, they should have your name and a phone number on them so that they can all be returned to their correct owners.

“Because of the Covid protocols that we have to adhere to these will have to be put in position by persons that are allowed inside the stadium.”

Weymouth will face Dartford in the Vanarama National League South play-offs final on Saturday, August 1 in a 1pm kick off at the Bob Lucas Stadium.