Depleted Tuatara aim to close in on Premiership leaders (From Dorset Echo)

Depleted Tuatara aim to close in on Premiership leaders

8:30am Saturday 21st November 2009 in

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Opportunity knocks for Tuatara tomorrow as Chris Meadow’s fourth-placed outfit lock horns with table-topping FC WindowMan at the Marsh (10.30am) looking to reduce the eight-point gap between the sides.

But T-Bar go into the Premiership’s game of the day without a host of key players including the player-boss himself and, most worryingly, they are sure to miss the goal-scoring threat of their current hot-shot Tom Grattidge.

Also out are experienced forward Simon Meadows, skipper Danny Dancer and vice-captain Michael Upton, so the odds will be stacked against the visitors from the off.

Ahead of the game Chris Meadows said: “Losing such important players is extremely unfortunate timing but one thing that stands out this term has been the strength in depth of our squad and, if this one beats the elements, that will certainly be put to the test.”

In the absence of the boss, Charlie Kenderdine will take on the management of the team for the day while Andy Stalker will don the captain’s armband.

Meanwhile, the WindowMan camp welcome back Matt Brown and Martin Masson from suspension as they seek to extend their unbeaten league record to ten games.

Manager Adam Parker will still be without the services of both Nicky Abbot and Anthony Luque while Sean Stewart serves a one game suspension.

Over at Redlands the Britannia face another stern test to keep their league title challenge alive as they meet up with Snookes for the second time in a fortnight.

In a Sunday Intermediate Cup second round tie the Brit ran out 3-1 winners after a closely fought 120 minutes and boss George Eley will be looking for more of the same.

Eley’s charges will have to be wary of a Snookes side who have only lost twice in the league so far, but the Brit will boast a fully-fit squad as long as Phil Stone passes a late fitness check.

Elsewhere at the Grove two of last season’s promoted sides renew acquaintances when lowly Galaxy Windows host the visit of mid-table Dorothy.

The Dot have a full squad to select from in a game boss Wayne Gifford is hoping will re-ignite their season.

“We started well but our last five league games has seen us guilty of missing a host of chances. We have had two good cup wins so hopefully we can transfer our cup form back to the league,” he said.

With the exception of Jamie Savage (ankle) the hosts will be virtually at full strength.

Bar 314 have a number of key men returning as they welcome the Chapelhay to Redlands trying to put last weekend’s cup replay misery firmly behind them.

Centre back Ben leaver is expected to partner Keith Hills at the back while Joe Garmen – who has two goals from two games – is likely to continue at left back.

Sadly, wing wizard Matt Palmer sustained ankle ligament damage in the cup defeat that will keep him out until the new year.

In the Championship, Duke AFC entertain the Golden Lion at Redlands needing a win to keep them on top of the table as second-placed Alex lie just a point behind ahead of their Marsh meeting with the Market House.

The Duke expect to be at full strength and boss Rob Owen said: “We dropped points last time out and we will be going all out to prevent that against the Lion who have made a decent start themselves.

“If we slip up we have to expect the Alex to take full advantage so there is plenty at stake tomorrow.”

TOMORROW’S FIXTURES: All 10.30am (except Budmouth games 10am) Carpets Direct Weymouth Sunday League Premiership: Moby Dicks v Railway Tavern (Redlands), Belvedere v Rodwell (Marsh), Bar 314 v Chapelhay (Redlands), Galaxy Windows v Dorothy (Grove), Snookes v Britannia (Redlands), FC WindowMan v Tuatara (Marsh).

Championship: Market House v Alex (Marsh), Duke AFC v Golden Lion (Budmouth), Old Castle v Old Ship (Budmouth), SAS v Rock (Marsh), New Inn v Broadmayne (Redlands), Stockley Builders v Punchbowl (Sandringham).