WEYMOUTH RESERVES 0 ALTON TOWN RES 1 WEYMOUTH Reserves began their Sydenhams Wessex Combination challenge with a surprise home defeat at the hands of Alton Town Reserves.

But despite the disappointing start, manager Dave Kiteley was far from upset by his team's performance.

He said: "It's a very new look side this season because a number of players have stepped up to the first team squad while a few others have moved on.

"When you take lads like John Lamb, Nathan Walker, Paul Gadsby, Carl Mutch, Stuart Frear and Mark Nicholson away, you're going to be a bit light on the reativity and experience front.

"But I was pleased with the way we played. We worked hard and looked good on the ball but just lacked that bit of extra something in the final third of the park."

The only goal of an entertaining encounter came ten minutes before the break when new keeper Michael Barton was unlucky to be beaten in a one-on-one situation.

The Terras had plenty of half-chances with the best falling to Ryan Hill, who hit the post, Jason Forbes and Martin Underhay.

However, they just couldn't break down a strong Alton back line and it was Barton who came to their rescue late on with a couple of very good saves at the other end.

Kiteley added: Alton weren't anything special, but they worked hard and were physically strong. In fact, it was a tale of two hard working sides and they just had the edge up front.

"This season is going to be about bringing a few more of the town's younger players on and there was a good example of that on the bench. All three of our substitutes were 15-years-old and all of them showed plenty of promise when they came on."

Terras: Barton, Dennis, Forbes, Harvie, Hill, De La Planque (Webber 55mins), Bichard, Lambert, Naylor (Carter 76mins), Underhay, Ravenscroft (Skinner 76mins