BOBBY Wilkinson praised young talent Frankie Monk after the forward’s first senior goal for Weymouth netted the Terras a 2-1 win at Swindon Supermarine.

Monk, 19, ran on to a pass from Tommy Stagg and showed the kind of clinical finishing that saw him bag ten goals for Weymouth Under-23s last season.

He has enjoyed successful loan spells at Step 4 level with Bashley and Hamworthy United, although he has only tasted a handful of minutes in competitive first-team action so far.

However, he is widely recognised as a future top player at the Bob Lucas Stadium and looks set to spend the 2023/24 season in and amongst Weymouth’s first team if not loaned out.

READ MORE: Swindon Supermarine 1-2 Weymouth - reaction

Speaking to Echosport after Monk’s winner, Wilkinson outlined how highly rated the rising star is.

He said: “Frankie I’ve just been gradually bringing in during pre-season because he’s still a young lad.

“You can see why I’ve kept around the club and why I sent him out on loan last year for men’s football.

“I feel like the club are now getting the rewards. He was just brilliant. I played him 45 minutes, longer than he’s played.

“He got the winning goal, was a threat and then I put him in a defensive duty when we went down to ten men to make sure he can do the hard work off the ball as well.

“He deserves a lot of credit, because he’s such a young player and learning his trade. He has a bright future with Weymouth.

“Whatever we decide to do with him, put him out on loan or in our squad, he’s one I’ll keep looking after.”

Elsewhere, Weymouth have organised a fans’ forum (6.15pm) following Saturday’s friendly at home to a Reading XI.