ASSISTANT-MANAGER Craig Laird has been instrumental in the Terras’ success this term, according to Weymouth number one Jason Matthews.

The former Bridgwater Town and Weston-super-Mare manager, who arrived at the Bob Lucas Stadium shortly after the Terras swooped for his son and centre-half Jamie last summer, showed just what he offers the club's set-up when he made the decision to swap striker Tim Sills for Dean Evans and push goalscorer Chris McPhee up front against Cirencester Town last Saturday.

“It was a good substitution from Craig,” Matthews revealed. “I personally felt Sillsy was doing well but Craig made the decision and I felt that it gave us an extra edge.

“As a coach he is the best I have worked with in football in 25 years. I have become very close to Craig as a person and a friend and I trust him completely. We work as a team, we look at each other’s decisions and I will back him as my assistant 100 per cent.”

And in his first full season in the managerial hot-seat, Matthews believes that assistant Laird’s input has been a great source of experience to tap into. He added: “Craig has been a massive help. He is an experienced manager but has chosen to come and help me.

“He has been fantastic for me. I needed that experience alongside me and Craig has brought that to the club in abundance.”