WEYMOUTH Reserves will get a good indication of how far they have come under Bradley Asagba when Merley Cobham Sports visit the Bob Lucas Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

That is the opinion of Terras boss Asagba himself as his side get ready to face a team that he feels are one of the favourites for the Dorset Premier League title.

A 3-1 victory over Alderholt in the Dorset Senior Trophy last weekend saw Weymouth bounce back from a defeat to Shaftesbury by the same scoreline seven days previously – that was the Terras’ first league loss this term.

Merley come to town with only one defeat to their name since the start of the season, and that came on the opening day when they were caught cold by Balti.

“At the end of the day, we’ve got a chance to prove ourselves against one of the favourites,” said Asagba, who used to play for Sports, when speaking about tomorrow’s encounter.

“We can see how far we’ve come and how we are developing.

“Merley, Shaftesbury and Ham Rec would be the clear favourites to win the league so it’s going to be tough.

“By all accounts they did, for whatever reason, have quite a few out for that match against Balti.

“But irrespective of that, Balti performed well and were worthy winners on the day.

“Since then Merley’s form has been superb, and it’s championship winning form, make no bones about it.

“They deserve respect and are an outstanding team, and they will be the favourites for Saturday.”

He added: “We can’t gauge too much from that performance last Saturday, it was a cup game away from home in an unfamiliar environment.

“The league game before that, away to Shaftesbury, was our first defeat of the season and it was a stern examination.”

Mitchell Speechley-Price is out through injury for the Terras and Matt Head is on a dual registration with Bashley.

Meanwhile, league leaders Balti are without Ricky Lane for their home showdown with Wareham Rangers.

However, manager Marco Nott welcomes Charlie Kenderdine, Tom Grattidge and Ethan Devaney back into the fold.

Nott was delighted with a clean sheet and a 2-0 win at Allendale in the trophy last time out.

Bridport Reserves, who held Merley to a 1-1 draw a fortnight ago, travel to third bottom Parley Sports, and Blandford United go to Hamworthy Recreation.