Match Review
Tuesday 15th September 2026
Pitching In Southern League
Division 1 (South)
Weymouth vs Shaftesbury FC 1888
‘Rockies’ make history again’
Dawid Regula gets up to win a header with Harry Morgan marshalled by Exmouth Town defender Joe Belsten.
📸 Photo – Simon Eckley.
Ten years ago would you have thought that a Shaftesbury team would face the might of the famous old Weymouth Football Club (founded in 1890) in a league game? Probably not i would imagine.
As Dorset Premier League champions in the 2015/16 season the ‘Rockies’ only league action against Weymouth came in the previous guise as Shaftesbury FC in the Wessex League Division 1 when Weymouth Reserves had a brief stint in the division.
Weymouth FC.
📸 Photo Tim’s Ground Travels
‘The famous old famous’ – Weymouth FC.
Weymouth were somewhat unlucky to be relegated on the last day facing a trip to a Berkhamstead side needing a win to make the play offs after the ‘Terras’ had demolished Chertsey Town 5-1 at the Bob Lucas Stadium and defeated champions Walton & Hersham and Poole Town amongst some other important wins.
Of course another twist to the story is it is us who have provided two of the players that will aid their return to the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South in Toby Holmes and Lewis Brown both key contributors in being 21 minutes from swapping places with a club that should be in the National League South at least.
They will return no doubt and I believe a brief stay in Division 1 (South) will get this club on the road again and further promotions with the quality of players like Callum Watts, Tom Bearwish and Brooklyn Gensini in their team along with former Exmouth Town attacking winger Tor Swann an astute signing by manager Jamie Wells.
Weymouth currently sit in 2nd place on goal difference behind Swindon Supermarine with a maximum 12 points gained. They have defeated Bath City 2-0 in the Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying round at Twerton Park along with league wins over Melksham Town, Dorchester Town, Larkhall Athletic and Falmouth Town. Melksham Town wee also defeated in the FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round and Shepton Mallet AFC in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round.
Of course they will look at our form and no doubt be thinking this one will be pretty much a home banker. They squeezed through in the Isuzu FA Trophy on penalties on Saturday as the away side on home turf after a 2-2 draw with Hartpury FC. A chance maybe to get adequate minutes in the tank of the whole squad.
As much as Wells will welcome the cup runs, it’s points on the board that matter most. The ‘Terras’ want to get out of this league as soon as possible as a club of their stature naturally would wish to not hang around.
‘Rockies ‘ look to get started.
After early season changes manager Jim Milligan and assistant Andy Struthers are fixing things. We showed good shape in a narrow defeat at Exmouth Town and with Kyle Tooze and Lewis Wakeford added to the squad along with stand out performances from Ollie Hughes and Cameron Murray are showing signs of revival. Sonny Pike winning a number of second balls against a physical Exmouth Town front line and midfield.
For sure the focus on Tuesday is getting out in front of a large crowd and giving them a game before we face Worcester Raiders the following Saturday at Cockrams being hopefully the reset we have worked on in recent weeks with no return.
😅 Fun Fact- Harry Baker has played for both Weymouth and Shaftesbury as has Tom Hewlett along with Toby Holmes and Lewis Brown. Other players that have represented both in the past are Danny Alford (Shaftesbury FC), Frankie Monk and Tyler Forbes. Can you name any others?
🎥 Rockies on YouTube.
Tim’s Ground Travels will be making a video of this game for the club. Follow the channel at https://youtube.com/@footballtravel-k4s?si=6_-wa1sUQKlNR4l9