A TRIP to Dorchester Town is Portland United’s reward if they clear the first hurdle in this season’s Dorset Senior Cup tomorrow.

However, Blues’ boss Gary Bailey knows that the visitors to Grove Corner, Parley Sports, represent a tough challenge for his men (2.30pm).

Portland and Parley currently occupy third and fourth places respectively in the Dorset Premier League at present and both have only lost once this term.

But Bailey has the luxury of a virtually fully fit squad to choose from for the first round tie, with only Carl Mutch unavailable.

“I will be looking for more of the same after last week’s performance against Sherborne where we produced some of our best football of the season,” said Bailey.

“Having played so well, I want us to show a level of consistency now and try to maintain those standards.

“Parley have had a good start to their season and will be coming to us full of confidence.

“We will be treating them with the upmost respect and know we will need to play well if we are to progress to the next round.

“I like the Senior Cup as you can get an opportunity to play teams from a higher level the further you go in the competition, but Parley will have the same aspirations as us so our full focus has to be on this game first.”

In the league, Weymouth Reserves can edge closer to the top four with three points at home against Cranborne (3pm).

The Terras go into the game without a win in their last four outings, while Cranborne, despite sitting in 13th place, have won three of their previous five fixtures.

Bridport Reserves, in 10th, can leapfrog tomorrow’s opponents Mere Town if they can claim a first victory in four.

Robin Townsend takes his side to the Recreation Ground (3pm) on the back of two draws and a loss.