MANAGER Stuart Heath has stressed the significance of Portland United’s next three games – describing them as “make or break” for their title ambitions.

The third-placed Blues entertain Parley Sports at Grove Corner tomorrow (2pm) before embarking on back-to-back daunting trips to Holt United and Westland Sports later this month.

And Heath has targeted a minimum of six points from the forthcoming trio of matches in order to sustain their Magna Dorset Premier League challenge.

Last weekend Weymouth Reserves and reigning champions Hamworthy Recreation both leapfrogged the islanders, who spurned the chance to lock horns with Weymouth in the Dorset Senior Cup.

Speaking to Echosport, Heath said: “The cup defeat by Hamworthy United was disappointing but I will reiterate to the players that we need to forget about that now.

“We have three games coming up that will make or break our season and tell us whether we can be genuine title contenders. It’s vitally important that we try to get three positive results.

“The teams around us are not dropping points but I know from experience that there will come a time when they will, so we need to be in a position to take advantage.

“I’m hopeful we can get three good results and anything between six and nine points would be ideal. Our home form is good this season so we know what is required against Parley.

“We cannot afford to drop points in games like this if we want to be champions. If we are playing catch-up after Christmas, we have no chance.”

Adam Linaker’s hamstring injury will be assessed to determine whether he will feature with the first team against 12th-placed Parley, or alternatively for the reserves.

Blues (from): Gifford, Wells, Churchill, Cranny, Welch, Coggins, Pattison, Godfrey, Smith, Beades, Marshallsay, Carter, Miles, Etherington, Linaker.