Weston AFC will end the year and start the next with back-to-back National League South games against Weymouth.

The Seagulls welcome the Terras to The Optima Stadium on Boxing Day at 3pm before travelling to the Bob Lucas Stadium on the first day of 2024 at 3pm in what will be the first set of matches between the two sides since July 2022, when Weymouth came away from The Optima Stadium with a 5-1 win.

Weston Mercury Sport caught up with Dorset Echo Sports Reporter Neil Walton, you can find him on Twitter here, he shared his thoughts on the upcoming two encounter, Weymouth's strength and weaknesses and how he expects the two games to go.

WMS: What are your thoughts on these two games between Weston AFC and Weymouth?

NW: “These two games are crucial for both sides. Bobby Wilkinson has already admitted he would take one win from the two, due to the fact Weymouth have drawn 10 times already this season, nine of them ending 1-1.

“Weymouth are obviously perched above the drop zone but really should have won their past two matches against Chippenham and Dover, whereas Weston have lost their past two. There's a lot riding on the double bill for both clubs.
Stylistically, the match-up suits Weston a lot more. 

“They came up from the Southern League with a pleasing brand of possession football and those types of sides Weymouth have struggled a little bit more with this season.”

WMS: How do Weymouth play and what should Weston AFC be aware of?

NW: “Weymouth are a chameleon of a side, they do tend to adapt to their surroundings and opponents. Against Dover they played with two up top and a back four, which left holes in the midfield on the counter or transition for Dover to exploit. 

“Against Weston I expect them to field two combative central midfielders and ask Brandon Goodship, who's been excellent in a no. 10 role for them, to drop a little deeper when out of possession. With Calvin Brooks out suspended and Anthony Cheshire out on loan, Weymouth will likely stick to a back four.

“Weston will have their eyes on Goodship, who's been on fire in the last few games. Weymouth have also just signed prolific striker Alfie Rutherford on loan, plus Maidenhead's Harry Parsons. 

“So, they have a very potent strike force with two National League marksmen but, ironically, their problems in recent weeks have been a failure to convert chances.”

WMS: How has Weymouth’s season gone so far?

NW: “Well it's been a season for draws, that's for sure. 10 matches drawn and only five won tells its own story. 

“Weymouth would undoubtedly be in the top half had they converted half of those into wins. They are currently playing some of their best stuff after a patchy start to the season, when performances were often tepid and there was a real struggle to find the target. 

“In one match, their first shot on target came in the 85th minute, but they are much improved since then.

“In the cups, they suffered a third qualifying round exit to Bath in the FA Cup and then were upset by lower-league Hendon in the FA Trophy, arguably their worst display of the campaign. 

“So, Weston will know of Weymouth's inconsistencies and will be hoping to catch them on a bad day.”

WMS: What are Weymouth's strength and weaknesses?

NW: “As touched on earlier, Weymouth are a little guilty of failing to take their chances and killing sides off. 

“But certainly one of their main strengths this season has been staying in games and actually fighting back from going 1-0 down. As a result, they've lost fewer games compared to last season and are in a stronger position.

“They would have hoped to be higher up the table but the quality is there to make a jump up the standings if they continue to play as they are currently doing but sharpening up their finishing.”

WMS: What do you think of Weston AFC?

NW: “I rate them very highly. It was amusing to see them being written off in the summer when all the social media experts gave their predictions. 

“I've seen a lot of Weston in recent seasons having covered their matches against Dorchester and they have always been impressive. 

“Their movements, rotations and attacking phases are at times a joy to watch and I know the Dorchester coaching staff considered them to be one of the best Southern League sides they've ever seen. It's no surprise they've picked up a few notable scalps in the National League South.”

WMS: With Weymouth and Weston AFC facing each other twice in six days, how do you expect those matches to go?

NW: “Results wise by heart is backing a home win for both teams...but where Weymouth are concerned my head is saying a couple of draws!”