WEYMOUTH boss Matty Hale has taken decisive action following his side’s exit from the FA Cup on Saturday – releasing Andy Caton and transfer listing four other players.

The Terras crashed out of the competition at the very first hurdle after suffering an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Bishops Cleeve – a side who lie two divisions below Blue Square South Weymouth.

And Hale is wasting no time in his bid to change the Terras’ fortunes with Caton heading for the exit and Martin Slocombe, Matt Cooper, Matt Townley and Jordan Rose, who saw red at Kayte Lane on Saturday, all available for transfer.

He said: “Andy’s not fit enough and I’ve not got the time to give him games to get fit. He’s better than what he has been producing but I’ve got to free up money in the budget to bring other players in. Those on the transfer list are available for loan or permanent transfer so we’ll see if we get any interest.

“This is not a rash decision. We’ve had 12 games of the season already, we’re bottom of the table and we’re out of the FA Cup so I think I’ve given people long enough.

“There are three or four others I could’ve put on the transfer list as well so if they play next Saturday I’ll be looking very closely at them.

“Players from the reserve team might get a chance now and I’m looking to arrange a practice match behind closed doors to have a look at the some of the reserves.”

Reflecting on the loss to Bishops Cleeve, Hale, who insists he is not about to throw in the towel, added: “I’ve never felt so bad after a game as I did on Saturday but I’ll sort things out – I’m no quitter that’s for sure.

“All three of their goals came from three mistakes by us, and that’s cost us our place in the FA Cup and £4,500. The players had a great opportunity to get money into the club but they didn’t take it.

“I said to the lads at half-time that it wasn’t good enough and that’s why I changed our goalkeeper. I tried to make a statement to the lads that the performance wasn’t acceptable.

“Jordan Rose’s sending off in the second half was inexcusable and naive. He was booked for a challenge that warranted a booking and then straight after he made another bad tackle.

“We really missed the likes of Matt Bound and Kyle Critchell, and then we lost Andy Harris to injury in the first half. We miss those big players and I’ve got to try and find more players like that.”

Of Harris’ injury, Hale said: “Andy hurt his knee and it’s too early to tell how bad it is yet. However, it was bad enough for someone like Andy to have to come off.”

* Weymouth will be holding their Terras Saviour 100 celebration at the Wessex Stadium tonight (7.30pm).