WEYMOUTH winger Sean Shields believes the Terras “can be a real force” at Vanarama National League level after thrashing Wealdstone 4-0.

Shields, on his return from an ankle knock, provided the assist for captain Josh McQuoid’s opener before scoring twice in a minute late in the second half – including a fabulous volley.

Shields has been a key new signing for the Terras, often topping the charts for distance run and weighing in with three goals plus eight assists this season.

And the former Dagenham and Redbridge, Ebbsfleet and Notts County wide man was typically modest when assessing his display.

He told Echosport: “It’s always nice to have a productive afternoon as an attacking player, especially when it contributes to a victory. That’s definitely pleasing.

“I thought it was important to get the goal in the first half because our play deserved it.

“The later the game goes on without scoring, it becomes more difficult. It was great to get the goal when we did.

“It really set us up to keep attacking and then go and get more in the second half.

“It was really pleasing to finish the game the way we did. The boys looked fit and that proves that we can be a real force at this level.

“We want to kick on from this now and we’re looking forward to the upcoming fixtures.”

On his second strike – a sweetly-timed volley – Shields said: “It was instinctive more than anything.

“I’ll have to watch it back to take in what I did. From what I remember, Josh went through had an effort on goal and it’s then sat up as I followed in.

“I just tried to keep my eye on it and drive it into the bottom corner. Thankfully, it worked well, I got my second goal and it capped off a great performance.”

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Shields also paid credit to Weymouth’s improved defensive unit – a factor he believes is vital in allowing the Terras’ attack to flourish.

He said: “The gaffer (Brian Stock) has definitely made some good signings in the New Year.

“The two lads at the back (Jacob Mensah and Dom Revan) have come in and done excellently, so has the goalkeeper (Ethan Ross).

“That’s made us more solid moving forward and allowed attacking players like myself, the skipper and Calvin Brooks to express ourselves.

“When you have a good platform, a solid back four and goalkeeper, it allows the attackers to concentrate more on attacking.

“It’s definitely been positive. I also think we’ve been a lot more solid in terms of keeping a really good shape throughout the game.

“I thought we showed spells of it before Christmas but didn’t do it for 90 minutes, which let us down.

“We’ve been a lot more consistent now over the 90 minutes. That’s contributed to picking up a lot more points.”