CHRIS Hicks is after a big response from his players tomorrow when they line up at Stur-minster Marshall (3pm).

Winless Weymouth Sports crashed to a dismal 7-3 home defeat against Witchampton United last time out – a result their joint-manager branded as ‘borderline disgraceful’.

Hicks is now expecting an instant reaction from his side and with Stur lying at the foot of the table with zero points it is clear there will be no room for excuses.

He told Echosport: “After last weekend’s defeat the players need to look at themselves.

“The way we capitulated in the second half was unacceptable and I am hoping they will now react in the right way.

“I believe they will too. They were all disappointed afterwards and I have every confidence that they will go out tomorrow looking to make amends.

“I am expecting a reaction and I think I will get one. They know that last performance wasn’t good enough and they know they are better than that.”

Sports currently sit third-bottom in the Dorset Senior League despite having lost just two of their first five games. The other three all ended in stalemate.

Reigning champions Portland United Res-erves will look to continue their solid start to the season at home to Okeford United (3pm).

Lee Clarke’s men lie second in the table despite not having yet hit top gear.

The Blues’ boss said: “We have been playing well in patches and that has been getting us through but now we need to find some consistency.

“Last Saturday’s victory was a good one against a strong Stourpaine side and hopefully we can now build on that against Okeford.”

United currently trail table-toppers Mere Town by five points.

Upwey & Broadwey are without a fixture for the second week running due to Westland Sports’ involvement in the Somerset Senior Cup and boss Steve Reynolds is not happy about it to say the least.

He said: “If they are going to let a Somerset side play in the Dorset League then they should ensure they play in the Dorset Senior Trophy so they fit in with everyone else’s fixtures.

“The end result has left us without a game for the second week running and it is far from ideal.

“The fact we have only played four games and by the end of this weekend will be two games behind already is just crazy.

“By the time our next match comes along it is almost going to be like starting the season all over again. It’s very frustrating but at the end of the day there is nothing we can do and we just have to get on with it.”

Meanwhile, Portland Town Reserves welcome Rounders FC to the Marsh tomorrow (2.30pm) for a Dorset Minor Cup first round encounter.

Rounders are in good forming, currently sitting at the top of Bournemouth League Division Five and remain unbeaten.

Town boss Justin Faulkner is looking forward to the encounter and said: “Rounders will give us a very good game, but one I think we can come through, but it won’t be easy.

“We need to get a win under our belt to really kick-start our season, we will approach the game as we would normally do but won’t be taking anything for granted.”