PORTLAND United interim manager Gary Bailey is hoping his side can erase the memories of a 4-0 defeat to Portchester at the weekend and book their spot in the Dorset Senior Cup final tonight (7.45pm).

To get there they will need to win at Shaftesbury, a side who they have drawn twice against so far in the league this season, with a 1-1 draw in February preceded by a 2-2 draw back in August. 

Bailey said: “It is what we are looking forward to, cup semi-finals do not come around all that often and it is what we all get involved in football for, to be involved in the latter stages of the season in semi-finals and hopefully finals.”

When asked if the 4-0 loss to Portchester presents motivation, Bailey said: “Motivation should not be a problem. They should be motivated all of the time but that is not realistic but if players cannot be motivated to play in a cup semi-final then they should not be playing football.

“I have got absolutely no concerns whatsoever that the players will turn up in the right frame of mind to give a good account of themselves.”

Tom Bearwish, Alex Godfrey and Sam Buckler are doubts, while Lewis Clarke is unavailable for the Blues, who beat Verwood Town 4-2 in the quarter-finals.