Six-pointer as Bees face Chickens (From Dorset Echo)

Six-pointer as Bees face Chickens

6:00pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in Sport By Adam Summers

ROBIN Townsend has described tomorrow’s trip to Chickerell United as a massive six-pointer.

Sixth-placed Bridport Reserves currently sit one point behind the Chickens in the Magna Dorset Premier League table, having played one game more, and desperately need to win the local derby at Weymouth College (2pm) to stay in contention for a top-five finish.

Bees’ boss Townsend, who will have influential midfielder Gary Bulman back available this weekend, said: “This is a big period for us and tomorrow’s game is a massive six-pointer.

“I was disappointed with our Dorset Senior Trophy performance against Poundbury last weekend despite the victory, and if we perform like that again tomorrow we won’t come away with anything.

“However, we have tended to play better on our travels this season and if we can put in the kind of display I know we are capable of, we will stand every chance.”

Chickerell manager Maurice Welch has the utmost respect for the Bees and knows his side are in for a tough test.

He added: “I watched them play at Portland recently and they matched them for long periods and looked a very good side, so I know just how hard it’s going to be.

“Aston Butcher and Josh Tennant will be with Dorchester Town Reserves but apart from those two, we should have a similar squad to last weekend when we drew 1-1 with Holt, so hopefully we can put in a big performance.”

Leaders Portland United travel to Raleigh Grove tomorrow to face lowly Sherborne Town Reserves (2pm).

While United are two points clear of Holt United with two games in hand, Sherborne are languishing in 17th spot but United boss Chris Wilson remains cautious ahead of the match.

He said: “We’re playing a reserve team so you just prepare yourselves as well as possible and go in with a view to picking up a result.”

Wilson also touched on the diligent attitude of his players, who had their last fixture away to Wincanton postponed due to the elements.

He said: “The boys are training hard, they are a terrific bunch of players and they are focused on every game and never moan if a game is called off.”

Wilson also highlighted the “terrific opportunity” given to United striker Carl Mutch, who made his Dorchester debut on Tuesday in the 2-2 draw with Basingstoke Town after signing dual-registration forms.

He said: “We are fully supportive of Carl, and if anything comes of the move, obviously, as a club, we’d have to look at it.

“He’s still a vital part of what we’re doing and he knows that.”

Wilson has a virtually full-strength squad to choose from with recent absentee James Dailey expected to return to training next week following a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Weymouth Reserves will be without nine players for tomorrow’s trip to Cranborne.

Liam Greatrex, Adam Anstey, Charlie Holland and Lee Sharpe are all injured, Jamie Perry is suspended, Tom Bell and Sanchez Baker are unavailable and Matt Harvey is on county duty. There is also a chance Matt Morley could once again be called up to the first team.

Joint-boss Jake Richmond said: “Not many teams go to Cranborne and win so it is going to be tough, particularly with the players we have out.

“We are going to have to be at it from the first whistle and we will certainly have to perform a lot better than we did last weekend when we played poorly despite beating Hamworthy United Reserves 3-2.”