PORTLAND United boss Simon Browne wants to keep the bar high against Cowes Sports tomorrow (3pm) after the Blues’ impressive start to the new Sydenham Wessex Premier League campaign.

Portland followed up their 6-1 win over Team Solent with a superb 1-0 victory over Plymouth Parkway in the FA Cup extra-preliminary round and Browne wants to maintain the high standards shown by his squad.

He told Echosport: “If we take into the game the attitude that we had in the cup we’ll hopefully get three points.

“I’m expecting no less from the boys, they set the standard high. Once we have set the bar high we want to keep it there.”

Portland will face their biggest trip of the season to the Isle of Wight but Browne is not concerned about journey fatigue setting in for his players.

He said: “It’s not sat in a car, they can stretch their legs on the ferry for a bit. It’s nothing too strenuous. It’s not going to kill them and I don’t think any of them suffer from a lack of sea legs!

“I didn’t know when the fixtures came out that it’s the furthest away. You can treat the Isle of Wight days as a bit more of a day out. Realistically it’s another two hours on to your journey.

And Browne admitted he is grateful the midweek fixture against Shaftesbury was cancelled, with some players suffering from tiredness after their FA Cup endeavours.

“There’s a few tired legs after the game on Saturday and I’m quite glad the midweek game got cancelled. That little bit of rest will help.”

Browne has a fully fit squad to choose from with the exception of Shane Evans, who has a knee knock, and the unavailable Josh Camp.

Portland (from): Lillington, Smith, Payne, Doidge, Whyton, Bessant, McKechnie, Clarke, Godfrey, Halloran, Ayunga, Diaz, Buckler, Hibbs.