TT INTERVIEW

Andy talks about the Terras

SEASON SO FAR

No better than expected. A virtually new squad, largely from lower leagues with little experience of the National League South, as we were forced to let go unaffordable good players from our National League exploits (e.g. Brad Ash). Add to that a long-term injury to Max Hemmings, a key player plus the loss, albeit known about, of the experienced Josh McQuoid as his recovers from cancer treatment, it’s perhaps little surprise then we find ourselves at the wrong end of the table but crucially above the drop zone. It is hoped though that in the second half of the season, the squad gels and gets to grips with the league an improvement will be seen and that we don’t have to endure another final week of the season like we did last, needing nine points and snookers!

RECENT FORM

In a word, draws. Eight of them in the last 13 matches, including a 4-4 at Dover Athletic in the FA Trophy in which we triumphed in a penalty shoot out and most recently against second placed Aveley. Suggesting perhaps some small signs my hope above might be coming to fruition.

HIGHLIGHTS

We’ve had a few, but too few to mention! Perhaps our best result was back in August winning 2-1 at Hemel Hempstead Town, just after they’d beaten The Slime in the opening fixture. We played extremely well in recent home wins against Eastbourne and Truro but so far, it’s been a season of like wading through treacle with not a great deal to get excited about.

KEY PLAYERS

Captain Tom Bearwish is our midfield playmaker. Accomplished on the ball and likes to drive forward and supplement the attack, so can often be seen popping up in the box and getting some goals. A local lad too, so very popular with the Terras’ faithful. Brandon Goodship is a very skilful player who has recently dropped back from his attacking positions to relieve Bearwish some of the creative responsibilities. Scored nearly 80 goals in two seasons for us (2017-2019) as we won the Southern League but has since struggled following moves to Southend United (then League 1), Weymouth (during National League struggles) and last season back in the Southern League Prem with Salisbury. So his confidence has taken a massive hit but in recent matches is starting to impress once again. Keelan O’Connell, is no stranger to Gulls’ fans and had a very good season for us last term. and although has struggled for consistency this season (also out injured for over a month) still shows his quality and will no doubt want to impress on his return to Plainmoor.

THE MANAGER

Bobby Wilkinson. Joined us in September 2022 when we were on just two points from 11 matches, yet somehow masterminded the most incredible escape in the last week of the season. Formerly with Hungerford Town, Wealdstone and Bracknell Town, whom he managed to promotion in 2021/22 before joining Weymouth. In terms of tactics, no fixed set up that I can recognise as he likes to shuffle his squad from one match to another.

THE LINE-UP

Impossible to tell. One thing that’s predictable about our manager is his unpredictability. He every rarely picks the same side two matches running and won’t for this match either as we have three suspensions to cope with. I’m not even sure who will be in goal!!!

AWAY FOLLOWING

Not many as it’s a Tuesday night in December and available for streaming. I reckon around 50 which is a shame because we’d take three times as many on a Saturday. Some rubbish fixture compiling sending us to our two most anticipated and local away matches (this and Yeovil) on Tuesday nights in October and November.

STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES

Easy to tell from the number of recent draws that we are becoming very resilient, and that the opposition really does have work hard and show their superior quality in order to beat us. With one or two notable exceptions, our defence has looked pretty solid of late. Our big weakness is our ability to put the ball in the back of the net. We don’t appear to have anyone who can strike a ball hard from distance, so all too often try to pass our way to the danger area or send it out wide for crosses which are meat and drink for most defences.

BEST OPPOSITION

Very simple this – Bath City. Utterly destroyed us at the Bob Lucas Stadium a month ago strolling to a 5-1 victory as we, unusually for us, capitulated. It was a chastening experience but one we seem to have learned some lessons as we’ve not been beaten since. Bath also put us out of the FA Cup at the Bob Lucas.

PREDICTION

Three suspensions for this match (two of which would have been spent had our match at Braintree last Saturday gone ahead) will result in much reshuffling of the pack and so make things doubly difficult, especially as United have turned in a couple of recent victories ending their poor form. But being ever the optimist, I’ll say our resilience will shine through once more and we’ll achieve our favourite result of 1-1.