After a return to winning ways against Chesterfield last weekend, County visit the Bob Lucas Stadium for the first time on Saturday, taking on Weymouth in the National League.
That victory over the Spireites lifted County up to fourth in the league table, within seven points of Torquay United at the top. Despite County not being involved in the midweek round of fixtures on Tuesday night, it turned into a largely positive night for the Hatters, as Hartlepool, Notts County and Eastleigh all dropped points, meaning we remain in fourth going into this game.
Victory on Saturday cannot lift us any higher in the table, as we currently sit four points shy of 3rd place Hartlepool with a game in hand. However, this weekend sees Hartlepool travel to leaders Torquay, whilst 2nd place Sutton host 5th place Wrexham, meaning County have a real opportunity to make up ground at the top with another three points at Weymouth.
For The Terras, meanwhile, last weekend’s draw at home to King’s Lynn Town leaves them 21st in the table, the final relegation spot in a normal season, however the decision to null and void the National League North and South looks to have spared them the stress of an end of season relegation dogfight.
Since we last met:
When Weymouth visited Edgeley Park for the first ever meeting between the two sides back in October, County were overwhelming favourites going into the game. A strong start to the season saw us sat in second after four wins from our first six games, whilst Weymouth were competing in their first season at National League level since 2009 after back-to-back promotions.
Despite that heavy favourites tag, and despite taking a first-half lead through Ash Palmer, the Terras came storming back in the second-half to record a shock 2-1 win, thanks to a late goal from midfielder Tom Whelan.
Far from inspiring a strong run of results, however, that famous Edgeley Park win has proved something of an anomaly since that day as they embarked on a run of no wins from their next nine games, including seven defeats, to leave them cut adrift in the relegation zone.
They were also dealt the blow of losing star midfielder Whelan, who has since made the permanent move to Chesterfield under their new manager James Rowe back in December.
Their form has picked up of late however, bolstered by the loan signing of Cambridge United striker Andrew Dallas, with the 21-year-old knocking in five goals in his first eight games for the Club, including three in his last four.
In those eight games, the side have recorded impressive wins against Hartlepool, Bromley and Aldershot, as well as picking up a point at home to Solihull Moors.
Their form at the Bob Lucas Stadium has also improved, with their only defeat in the last four games on home turf coming at the hands of Notts County – although they still have the joint worst defensive record in the league at home, conceding 26 goals in 14 games.
Match Stats:
- This will be just the second ever meeting between the two sides, with Weymouth winning the first back in October.
- County have conceded just one goal in their last six National League games. In eight games under Simon Rusk, we have conceded from open play just twice (both against Sutton United).
- Alex Reid became the first County player this season to reach double figures for goals in the League – he is currently the fourth highest scorer in the league, and has scored three of our last four goals.
