PORTLAND United boss Simon Browne is looking for an improvement in home form when the Blues welcome Horndean to Grove Corner in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division tomorrow (3pm).

This season, Browne’s men have won just four games at home from 17 matches in all competitions, last securing a victory on home turf with a 4-2 Dorset Senior Cup win over Verwood Town in late November.

While the Blues’ away form looks rosier, earning six wins in all competitions, Browne is looking to earn three points against the Deans, who lie eighth with five games in hand over Portland in 11th.

He told Echosport: “We have raised our game against the so-called better sides. Unfortunately our home form has not been great.

“The away performances have been good but the home form has been misfiring. Hopefully with a reasonably full squad we can get a win.

“It keeps the locals happy, the club happy and gives the players that bit of confidence. I can’t fault their commitment in any of the games we’ve had of late.

“The ones we’ve drawn we should have won at least two. Hopefully we can put it together.”

Earlier this season, Portland suffered a 1-0 loss to Horndean in a rearranged FA Vase tie courtesy of a late Jack Maloney goal, but the Blues were frustrated by goalkeeper Tom Price, who saved a first-minute Alex Halloran penalty and a Sanchez Baker one-on-one.

Baker is set to return to the fold for the clash as he steps up his recovery from a fractured ankle, while Ross Doidge is also expected to be in contention for a squad berth.

Browne said: “Ross has had time. Hopefully he’ll be ready to go and give me a bit of a selection dilemma.

“Sanchez has had some minutes under his belt with the A team. It gives me some options up front.”