PORTLAND players will get the big match treatment ahead of tonight's Dorset Premier League Cup final clash with Hamworthy Recreation at Dorchester's Avenue Stadium (7.45pm).

Boss Dave Kiteley gets his squad together for a two-hour afternoon training session at Grove Corner before being treated to a pre-match meal at the island's Clifton Hotel and then travelling on to Dorchester.

"We want to make an occasion of it and we'll enjoy the day whatever the outcome," said Kiteley.

"But we've had an excellent season coming third in the league and after the reserves collected their league championship at the weekend it would put the icing on the cake tonight now we have got this far in the league cup."

However, Kiteley reckons the result is to close to predict.

"We are third and they are fourth, two points behind us in the table," said Kitely. "We've beaten them twice in the league, but both games were tight and looking at the results since Christmas you would have to say they are the form team.

"Both sides have what I would call some big players and it will all depend on which ones come to the party tonight.

"Carl Mutch and John Lamb are particularly important to us. Carl is especially dangerous at set-pieces, having scored 13 goals this season - 12 of them with his head - while there isn't a better wide player than Lamby in the area when he is on song.

"With the dangerous front players they have like Mike Notley and Cris Rigler, our skipper Andy Perkins also has a vital role. He's been the club's outstanding player and he reads the game exceptionally well at the back."

One player who will miss out on the final through injury is defender Lloyd Cranny.

"We had a training session on Tuesday and his ankle isn't strong enough," said Kiteley. "I feel really sorry for the lad."

His natural replacement Ben Sim-monds also came off in the 1-1- draw at Hamworthy United on Saturday with a slight groin injury and Kiteley will wait until after today's training session before making a decision over who fills the right back spot.

"Apart from that and the long term injuries to Jimmy Dailey and Dave Newland, we have a clean bill of health."

Blues: Gadsby, Simmonds, Reader, Perkins, Ansty, Doidge, Lamb, Middleton, Lithelrand, Mutch, Whyton, Linaker, White, Thoday, Marshallsay, Braund, Sanchez.