WEYMOUTH RESERVES 0

STURMINSTER MARSHALL 1

JAKE Richmond believes fitness is the key to turning the Terras’ fortunes around in the Magna Dorset Premier.

His comments came after watching his men dominate the opening 45 minutes against Sturminster Marshall in their latest outing, only to go on and concede a late goal in a 1-0 defeat.

The joint manager said: “It was very frustrating because we completely bossed it in the first half and had we converted our early chances we would have been two or three up.

“Lee Sharpe had a header from a corner cleared off the line and then 30 seconds later Ricky Lane had a shot fly just inches wide.

“Our keeper Chris Povall made a couple of good blocks from efforts from corners but apart from that they did not really trouble us.

“However, after half-time, we were not at it at all and ended up getting punished towards the end when we lost possession from our throw-in and allowed them to break on us.

“It was a complete Jekyll and Hyde performance and I think fitness played a big part in that.

“Some players have been struggling to make training due to work commitments and I think it has shown.

“We have had six or seven games now and should be up to speed but it seems our displays are tailing off around the hour mark.

“There are a lot of encouraging signs and we are not far away but until we address that fitness issue we are not going to move forward.

“We had a word with the lads after the game and they have all been told that one training session a week is the minimum requirement.

“They are all keen to progress and we are all rooting for the same thing but it must also be remembered that with the exception of Adam Skelton and Pete Jarvis, we are a young team.

“We are also very much a development side and we do have two or three there, who, if they listen and learn, have a good chance of progressing. But like everything else in life it will not happen for them without hard work.”

Dan Manuel’s late winner has left the Terras fourth bottom in the county’s top-flight, following five successive defeats.

Terras: Povall, Mitchell, Anstey, Hanger, Staines, Sharpe, A Skelton (Jarvis 65), Carmichael, Crouch (Scott 81), Lane (Mutch 65), Zima. Sub not used: Harvey.