SEEING his side claim a place in the second round of the FA Trophy tomorrow would be the perfect way for Jason Matthews to mark his first year in charge of the Terras.

It was 12 months ago this weekend that Matthews began his tenure in the Weymouth hot-seat as the club’s caretaker-manager following the sacking of Brendon King.

Matthews made a big impression over the festive period before being given the job on a permanent basis in January – and things couldn’t be going much better for the keeper in his maiden managerial role.

Conference South outfit Havant & Waterlooville will be looking to spoil Matthews’ anniversary at the Bob Lucas Stadium tomorrow (3pm), but the player-manager is looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead.

“We have done well to get as far as we have,” said Matthews. “We can go out and enjoy the game, but at the same time we really want to get through to the next round.

“They’ve got some extremely good players and are a side looking to go up from Conference South, so we know we will have to be at our best if we want to win.

“Havant are where we want to be and it will be a good chance for us to test ourselves against a side like them.”

Still in two cup competitions and sitting just three points behind league leaders Poole, the Terras are in a much better place compared to when Matthews took over.

And after a tough start to his reign, the experienced keeper is, as ever, optimistic about the future.

“It has gone better than I thought,” he admitted. “Last season was about consolidating and this season has been about kicking on.

“I’ve got the players in that I wanted and I think we have made massive strides in the last 12 months.

“I want to keep moving the club forward and my aim is to take us back into the Conference South.”

A win over Havant, managed by former Portsmouth and Manchester City striker Lee Bradbury, would add another £5,000 to the Terras’ coffers.

However, they might have to face Bradbury’s men without Chris Shephard (groin), who is a doubt after coming off against Bideford on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Matthews told Echosport that Sean Downing, the man who scored against Weymouth in midweek, turned down the chance of a move to the Bob Lucas Stadium after being the subject of a seven-day approach by the Terras.

Terras (from): Matthews, Wells, Wannell, McPhee, J Laird, Brooks, Kelly, Rigg, Yetton, Sills, Shephard, West, Jevon, Colwell, Poole, Copp, C Laird, Prodomo