STEVE Alcock wants his side to “make amends” tomorrow when they take on local rivals Chickerell United Reserves at Weymouth College in the first round of the Dorset Senior Trophy (2.30pm).

Following a 3-2 defeat against Witchampton and a 2-2 draw at Okeford, Weymouth Sports have slipped to second-bottom in the Dorset Senior League but it has been the dip in performance levels that has alarmed Alcock the most and he is now hoping for a response.

The experienced player-manager, who is back available for selection following a suspension, said: “So far we have not performed to the level we were hoping for and September was still very much like pre-season, with new players still getting to know each other.

“Hopefully, this month we will now start bonding properly but tomorrow will be a stern test. Chickerell are a young side, who will be full of running, so we will have to perform well to go through.

“Our last home game against Witchampton left a sour taste in my mouth and hopefully the boys will go out there tomorrow and make amends.”

Josh Evans, Chris Reader and Carl Mutch will all return for Sports but Stuart Dixon is unavailable, Ben MacConnachie is a doubt and Chris Wheeler, Ed Bastick and Ben Doidge are all sidelined with injuries.

Sports: T Wyatt, Gregg, Wallis, Austin, Mutch, Anstey, Hicks, Windust, Alcock, C Wyatt, Cleal, Evans, MacConnachie, Morgan, Chance, Reader, Delaplanque.

* Darren Samways returns for Upwey & Broadwey’s Senior Trophy tie at Wincanton Town Reserves (2.30pm).

The experienced forward missed last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat against Tintinhull in which the Weymouth outfit grossly under performed.

Upwey boss Steve Reynolds, whose side sit third in the Senior League, said: “Wincanton are top of Dorset League Division One and going well, so we will have to be on our game as they will be no pushovers.

“We have spoken about our performance against Tintinhull and we know what we need to do to put things right. Having Darren back will certainly make a big difference as he’s a good finisher and links up the play very well.

“Chris Sweetser-Hawkes is also back available but Richard Frost and Ben Coltart are both doubtful with groin and knee injuries respectively, and Steve Coombs is out with a hamstring problem.

“I will also bring Ethan Devaney into the action this week. I probably made a mistake not bringing him on last week, and hopefully we can start getting the ball down again and playing a bit of football.”

Upwey: C Coltart, Porteous, Anderson, Pearce, McLucas, Crawford, Zima, Jarvis, Frost, McDonald, Purnell, Devaney, Young, Samways, Sweetser-Hawkes, B Coltart.

* Portland United Reserves travel to Piddletrenthide United (2.30pm) with confidence, following last Saturday’s Senior League success over Kingston Lacy.

But the Blues are unlikely to have an easy ride in the Senior Trophy clash against the Division One high-fliers.