Maidenhead v Weymouth: Team news and match preview
WEYMOUTH manager David Oldfield believes there is “a lot to build on” for the Terras at Maidenhead United this afternoon (3pm).
Oldfield leads his side in Berkshire after a 0-0 draw with promotion chasers Grimsby Town on Saturday.
The game is the first of two in four days, with a mouth-watering home derby against Yeovil awaiting Weymouth on Easter Monday.
And while Oldfield stressed the need for continuous improvement from his players, he acknowledged their good work against the Mariners.
He told Echosport: “There’s a lot to build on, good performances and a very good game.
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“We have to do better, we have to score and find that balance between trying to defend properly as a team and being a threat, having a goal in our game.
“There are many challenges to overcome. We had a lot of opportunities against higher placed teams and lower teams.
“But whatever happened to the players, they kept their attitude, their responsibility, their solidarity and worked hard. They strive to do what we ask them to do.
“They care about us and the crowd has been fantastic for us. It’s another opportunity this weekend.
Reflecting on the Grimsby game, he said: “I think the players showed good team ethics.
“But really, it brings its own frustrations. We had opportunities in the past and we failed to take them.
“We managed to produce a team performance that was good enough to take a point against a very good Grimsby team.
“That team ethic will have to be just as good against Maidenhead who are doing good things. Obviously it’s a big game in which we have to get a positive result.
Looking at Maidenhead, Oldfield added: “They work very hard and have a very experienced manager (Alan Devonshire) who has done a fantastic job at the club.
“We know how challenging it is. We have to make sure that we are absolutely ready.
Ollie Harfield (ankle) was ruled out of both Easter games, while Josh McQuoid is serving the final game of a two-match suspension. Tom Blair (suspension) is also absent.
Andreas Robinson could feature after a foot injury while Xander McBurnie came through the Grimsby game unscathed.
Josh Leslie-Smith (head) and Martell Taylor-Crossdale (knee) continue to be evaluated.