A PLACE in the last eight of the Dorset Senior Trophy will be the reward for Chickerell United and Upwey & Broadwey providing they come through tomorrow’s third round unscathed.

Upwey overcame Verwood Town Reserves in the round of 32 and have home advantage for their tie against South Cheriton, the only team to beat Chickerell in the league this season.

Meanwhile, the Chickens, who needed a replay to see off Gillingham Town Reserves in the second round, travel to Sturminster Newton United, a side they beat 1-0 back in September.

Both Upwey and Chickerell enjoyed comfortable wins in the league last weekend but, as both managers know, cup football can be very different.

Upwey boss Steve Reynolds has had a few selection issues so far this term but is now beginning to see those problems ease.

“The nice thing at the moment is that we are getting a squad of players back together,” he said. “Charlie May (work), Craig Bridle and Ben Porteous (both injury) could all be fit again soon which is good for the squad.

“We’ve been struggling to get a side on the pitch some weeks so when those guys do come back it will be a nice selection problem to have.

“And if we win our next league game and keep the cup run going then we won’t be far off come the second half of the season.”

On tomorrow’s opponents, he added: “They beat Chickerell a few weeks ago and we drew 2-2 with them before that, but we gave them both their goals and squandered chances ourselves.

“Their form has been up and down so we don’t quite know what team we’ll be up against, and cup games are always unpredictable anyway.”

Work commitments mean Dan Welch and Warren White will be missing for Chickerell at Barnets Field, while Rafael Martin Perez and Willie Gibson won’t be available to boss Steve Coward for the rest of the season.

The Dorset Senior League leaders are doing everything their manager has asked of them in that competition and sees the trophy as another great chance of picking up some silverware.

“We had a target of making the top three this year and having a decent cup run,” said Coward. “Things are going well so far and it’s up to us all to go out and win these games.”

In the other ties, Weymouth Spartans go to Blandford United Reserves and Balti House host Kangaroos. All games are set to kick-off at 1.30pm.

Elsewhere, Portland United Reserves are away to Gillingham Town Reserves in the Dorset Senior League (2pm).