8:34am Friday 21st November 2008
By Ky Capel
PORTLAND United boss Stuart Heath aims to continue his good start in the Blues’ hot-seat when unbeaten Westland Sports visit Grove Corner tomorrow (2.15pm).
After easing past Cobham Sports in his first match in charge, Heath will surely be provided with a sterner test tomorrow against third-placed Westland who are yet to be defeated in the Dorset Premier League this season and have the meanest defence of all 15 teams.
Reigning champions Portland lie just one spot below the Yeovil-based outfit in the table and will climb above them should they record all three points tomorrow afternoon.
Heath, whose side ended a run of three successive defeats with the 5-1 victory over Cobham six days ago, said: “Westland are a good side and one of four or five teams in this league who have ideas of winning the title this season, which is good for the league itself.
“It’ll be a tough test for us, tougher than what we faced last week, and it will give us a good indication of where we are at.
“Last weekend was a good start for me and the players and it was great to see them enjoying it again. It’s about getting the hunger and belief that is required to win the league for a second time.
“Westland are unbeaten but now is a good time to beat them. We played with a lot of freedom against Cobham and hopefully we’ll continue that and enjoy it at the same time.”
The Blues’ cause will be aided by the returns of John Lamb and top scorer Adam Linaker. However, defender Sam Clarke is out.
Heath added: “Adam and John coming back means we have more attacking options but Sam isn’t available as he’s having a pin taken out of the wrist he broke a while ago.”
Blues (from): Carroll, Boyt, Cranny, Perkins, Anstey, Dailey, Sharpe, Lamb, Halloran, Wisden, Phillbrick, Litherland, Jones, Doidge, Marshallsay, White, Whyton, Linaker.
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