STEVE Alcock has warned his Weymouth Sports side that must show some fight if they are to avoid a thrashing at the hands of Upwey & Broadwey tonight (6.30pm).

The Dorset Senior League local rivals clash at Weymouth College on the back of contrasting results.

Upwey hammered AC Matravers 6-2 to maintain their outside shot for the league title while Sports’ hopes were mathematically ended after they missed a hatful of chances in a 1-0 defeat at Bishops Caundle.

Sports’ boss Alcock said: “I know what it’s like for a side with nothing left to play for but pride – it happened to us last year after we secured second.

“Upwey & Broadwey are going to want bragging rights after their off-day in the semi-final and they are still in with a chance of winning the league by winning all their remaining fixtures.

“It’s going to be a tough game for us and we certainly need to pick ourselves up for tonight otherwise we are going to get a right walloping.

“You can feel sorry for yourself but it’s how you react to it – you have to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and get on with it because it’s an unforgiving game.

“We are going to have to show some passion and desire against them to get anything.

“Hopefully we can go out on a high and then carry it on into next season.”

Robbie Rolls missed a penalty, while Weymouth also hit the woodwork and forced the home goalkeeper into numerous saves, but it was Bishops Caundle who got the all-important goal.

“They had two strikes on goal – one in the first half and one in the second half – but our final touch and finishing were poor,” added Alcock. “Their keeper was excellent but when you take extra touches you give defenders the chance to get back and tackle.”

Ben MacConnachie and Chris Evans should return to the Sports’ squad for tonight but Stu Dixon is out.

Sports: Wyatt, Austin, Pattison, Hicks, Wallis, Green (Nicholson 75), Dixon, Cleal, Lane (De La Planque 60), Rolls, Cole. Subs not used: Alcock, Bickerstaff.