SHERBORNE TOWN 0 PORTLAND UNITED 0

PORTLAND United chief Gary Bailey was impressed with his side’s display as they played out a 0-0 draw with Western League outfit Sherborne Town at Raleigh Grove.

Fielding what Bailey described as a “very unfamiliar backline”, the Blues hit the upright in the first half against the Zebras and put a good amount pressure on the home goalkeeper.

And despite not finding the net as a reward for their efforts, the island chief was chuffed with his team’s overall performance.

He told Echosport: “Both teams played very well at a good tempo.

“They had one or two missing, as did we. We went with a very unfamiliar backline, and it was not our usual back four, but everyone did really well.

“I spoke to their management team afterwards, they were pretty chuffed and they got out of it what they needed to as well.”

The Blues now host Chickerell United in a friendly at Grove Corner on Saturday (3pm).

Lewis Whyton and Carl Morris are unavailable and Ross Carmichael still won’t be risked with an ankle problem.

But Bailey is hoping to have Ed Bastick, Adam Linaker and Tom Peck back.

“We should have good numbers there and it’s a case of getting as many people as many minutes as we can really,” he added.

“It’s the last friendly for us. There will be some changes at half-time and I am looking forward to it.”