DSL Preview: Cranford crunch for Senior rivals (From This is Hampshire)
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DSL Preview: Cranford crunch for Senior rivals
8:45am Friday 10th February 2012 in Hampshire Sport By Adam Summers
DOUBT: Upwey’s Sam Nichols, above right, should shake off a cold
LOCAL pride will be at stake when Weymouth Sports lock horns with bitter rivals Upwey & Broadwey at Cranford Avenue tomorrow (2pm).
Sports beat Upwey 2-1 when the two teams met at Redlands earlier in the season but it is the latter who are still in with a chance of lifting the Dorset Senior League title.
Steve Reynolds’ second-placed side currently trail leaders Wareham Rangers by just goal difference while their near neighbours sit seventh.
The Upwey boss said: “The games between us and Sports are always interesting and I expect this one to be no different.
“We should not have lost the last time we met but they took their chances and we didn’t.
“This time around I have a lot more choices available to me and it is just a case of picking the right side, which isn’t easy at present with so much competition for places.
“It is also vital we go out there with the right attitude and I think we will.
“The spirit in training this week has been fantastic and I know the lads feel they owe Sports one and they do.
“Local pride is at stake for both teams but even more important than that we need to win to stay in with a chance of winning the title.”
Sports’ joint-manager Chris Hicks went on to add: “I am sure Upwey will be out to avenge the result they had against us earlier in the season so we know we are going to have to be at our best.
“We have played pretty well in our last two games and I know the boys are looking forward to it so hopefully we can put in another good performance.”
Sam Nichols and Ty Young are both expected to shake off colds in time to feature for Upwey while Sports will be without Scott Walker and Stu Dixon.
Sports (from): Wyatt, Hicks, Bessant, Austin, Thoday, Thomas, Jones, Quinton, Rolls, Cleal, Evans, Stone, Culpin.
Upwey (from): Cowne, Porteous, McLucas, Billings, Wellman, Anderson, Stewart, Pearce, Nichols, Clark, Kenderdine, Purnell, Frost, Devaney, Samways, Bochonko, Young.
* Meanwhile, fourth-placed Portland United Reserves host Gillingham Town at Grove Corner (2pm), and Chickerell United Reserves take on Sturminster Newton United Reserves at The Stalls (2pm).
