CHRIS Wilson is calling for a positive reaction from his Blues following last weekend’s shock defeat at the hands of lowly Merley Cobham Sports.

The latter were without a win in the Magna Dorset Premier League prior to the Grove Corner showdown while the islanders sat top of the pile with a 100 per cent record from seven matches.

However, Sports ran out 3-2 winners to inflict a first defeat on manager Wilson and relegate his side to second spot.

Tomorrow sees Portland entertain Hamworthy United Reserves (3pm) and the second-placed Blues are determined to get back on track.

Wilson said: “We are now looking for a reaction and we need one quickly.

“The wins we have had have been great but you always have to move on, and we will do that tomorrow.

“We have a lot of experience in the dressing room and the players know how to deal with situations like this.

“They said all the right things after last Saturday’s game and they will look to put things right on the pitch tomorrow.”

Weymouth Reserves’ joint-boss Jake Richmond is targeting another impressive display from his troops as they travel to Bridport Reserves tomorrow (3pm).

Despite losing 1-0 at Hamworthy United Reserves on Tuesday night, Richmond was buoyed by the Terras’ performance and is looking for more of the same at St Mary’s Field.

He said: “We would love to get the three points but I’m not looking at that – it’s about the performance.

“Bridport are like us in the sense that their side changes all the time as well.

“We won’t have Mark Ford and Matt Groves but we have people coming back who can replace them. It would be very hard to change the rest of the team though, as everyone performed on Tuesday night.”

The Bees suffered an agonising 3-2 defeat at Parley Sports last weekend and boss Robin Townsend is expecting another tough encounter against the Terras.

He said: “Like us, Weymouth Reserves are there to feed the first team and by all accounts they are a young side that like to play good football.

“With our pitch in such good condition it promises to be a good footballing match and hopefully this time we can get the right result.”

Chickerell United will be looking for more of the same at Sherborne Town Reserves tomorrow (3pm).

The Chickens ended a five-game winless streak last time out by defeating Wareham Rangers in what Maurice Welch dubbed ‘a polished performance’.

Looking ahead to this weekend, the United boss said: “Hopefully we can put on a repeat performance.

“We have struggled with consistency in terms of selection but I am hoping things will settle down now, which should lead to us putting a few more points on the board.

“The lads did superbly against Wareham and with Jamie Sibley and Aston Butcher due back this week and Sean Stewart set to return the following weekend things are beginning to look a lot more encouraging.”