Mackie agony

WEYMOUTH midfielder Hector Mackie could be ruled out for up to six months with a knee problem.

The ex-St Albans City star, who suffered the injury in the 2-2 draw against a Yeovil Town XI earlier this month, will undergo a scan next week and Terras’ boss Matty Hale is expecting the worst.

Speaking after last night’s 4-1 defeat against Exeter City at the Wessex Stadium, he said: “Hector could be out for up to six months.

“He has had a specialist look at his knee and it looks like it is an anterior cruciate ligament injury but we won’t know the full extent of the damage until he has a scan next week.”

There are also fears surrounding the fitness of Martin Slocombe and Andy Harris but Hale is hoping both players will figure in tomorrow’s final pre-season friendly at Paulton Rovers (7pm).

He added: “After Martin trains and plays he has been getting severe stomach pains. He has undergone some tests but we do not know the results of those as yet.

“We are hoping to get him involved tomorrow at Paulton to see what the reaction is after that and we are also keen to do the same with Andy Harris, who has been recovering from a back problem.”

Despite the final scoreline Hale was happy with his side’s showing against the Grecians, particularly in the first half, where a couple of players staked a big claim for a place in the squad to face Lewes in their Blue Square South opener in just nine days’ time.

Hale said: “I was really happy with the first half. We have been working hard on our shape and use of the ball and the boys did everything we asked of them, which was great to see as it shows they understand what we are looking for.

“Matt Groves possesses good quality and tonight he showed how he is a real work- horse as well. I also thought Ben Reiffer and Jordan Metters really put themselves in the mix for the Lewes game.

“Unlike Jordan, Ben has not been put on a contract but he has signed Conference forms, and I thought he did well tonight.

“Matt Cooper also looked strong up front and at the back we were a lot more solid with John Lamb coming in at left-back and showing that he has a good understanding of what we are after.

“Unfortunately, with all the changes in the second half, we were not as tight as in the first half and that showed with the two mistakes from keeper Ryan Harrison but we will learn from that.

“Exeter are a good side but I thought 4-1 was a bit cruel because that was our best performance so far in terms of work rate and shape.”

The Terras looked threatening throughout the first half with Cooper and Metters both going close.

The home side’s energetic pressing game seemed to stun Exeter but after the break a flurry of substitutes seemed to disrupt their rhythm.

And within seven minutes of the restart, Adam Stansfield, who was carried off towards the end with an ankle injury, fired City ahead with a low drive from 22 yards.

Matt Taylor then took advantage of a misjudgement by Harrison to head in a free-kick just four minutes later before trialist Danny Bennett got one back on 69 minutes with a classy finish.

That goal raised the home side’s spirits but City hit back with two more strikes in the last 15 minutes to round off the victory.

Jack Furzer netted on 75 minutes after Troy Archibald-Henville had beaten Harrison in the air at a corner before Craig McAllister grabbed the fourth.

Loan signing Ryan Gazet Du Chattelier and trialist Tom Piotrowski also turned out for Weymouth and it is expected that both men, along with Bennett, will also line up at Paulton tomorrow.

Terras: Harrison, Brice (Rose 46), Critchell, Townley (Harpnutt 56), Lamb, Reiffer, Metters (Thorne 56), Preston (Grubb 46), Groves, Cooper (Du Chattelier 46), Piotrowski (Bennett 46).

Grecians: Marriott, Tully, Noone, Russell (McAllister 57), Allen (Furzer 67), Seaborne (Archibald-Henville 67), Taylor (Burnell 67), Harrison (Frear 71), Logan (Stansfield 43), Panther, Saunders (Berry 71).

Attendance: 301