MAURICE Welch is optimistic of finally being able to preside over his first match since being reinstalled as manager of Chickerell United.

Welch returned to the club following Chris Wilson’s resignation more than a fortnight ago but has yet to take charge of a competitive fixture because of two successive postponements.

However, with forecasters offering a more promising outlook, the signs are encouraging that the Chickens’ weather-enforced break may soon be at an end.

They are poised to visit 13th-placed Blandford United in the Magna Dorset Premier League tomorrow (2pm) and Welch revealed he would use it as a fact-finding mission to evaluate his new charges.

Speaking to Echosport, he said: “It’s been very frustrating not to have got out there but there’s nothing anybody can do about the weather.

“We couldn’t train last week because of the snow but we have been for a run on the beach to keep the boys ticking over. We are raring to go and I have got no problems with selection.

“The only player out through injury is Craig Roper. I’m looking forward to seeing Andy Graham back in action and there won’t be many changes.

“I want to have a good look at what we have got in the squad. They did well under Chris Wilson and I do not want to go in and change things without assessing everything first.

“Chris built a competitive side for this league but sometimes when they have come up against the teams in the top six they have been found wanting, so perhaps there’s something missing to make the step up.”

Chickerell, who are in eighth spot, entertain Merley Cobham Sports next Saturday and Welch has set a simple target for these two tussles – six points.

He added: “The Blandford game and the one against Merley Cobham Sports next week are winnable. It’s important we beat the teams that are around us in the table.

“One area we need to address is the number of goals we have been conceding, because I think that outside the teams in the bottom four we are the worst.

“But we have got a lot of points already and if we can go on a good run then that will stand us in good stead.”

Chickens (from): Bickerstaff, Weeks, Coombs, Oldrid, D Skelton, Burton, Graham, A Skelton, Carlile, B Skelton, Chance, Kenderdine, Maxted, Hunter.