BRIDPORT Reserves and Portland United do battle in the Dorset Premier League Cup again this weekend, with a place in the last eight the reward for the winners.

Tomorrow’s second round tie at St Mary’s Field (2.30pm) comes after the Blues beat the Bees 2-0 in the quarter-finals of last season’s competition.

That was also the outcome when the sides met in the league earlier this term.

Blues’ boss Gary Bailey is likely to have the same squad as that which beat Sturminster Marshall last Saturday, although he is waiting on the fitness of Charlie Holland (thigh).

“Our performances in cup games so far this season haven’t matched our league form so I am hoping for an improvement there,” he said.

“Last week we showed patience to get the result and I’m sure we will need the same resilience tomorrow as games against Bridport are usually tight, well-contested affairs.

“We have a fairly settled squad at the moment with good competition for places so with that I want to start seeing a level of consistency in our performances.”

Bees’ manager Robin Townsend has several players missing through injury, though that could be eased by the fact the Bridport first team are without a game.

Darren Lock, Sam Day and Jack Scovell are out, Adam Steele has work commitments, but Dan Baggs (dead leg) should be okay.

“We’ve got as good a chance as anybody in this cup but it doesn’t help when you’re playing one of the best sides in the league,” said Townsend.

“When we played them at their place, I thought we were the better side for long periods, and I hope we can give a good account of ourselves again.”

Also in action in round two are Weymouth Reserves who go to Tintinhull (2.30pm).

Meanwhile, the only league game taking place tomorrow sees Blandford United host Parley Sports (3pm).

The match will be the first in charge for new Royals’ boss Bradley Asagba, who is assisted by ex-Salisbury, Dorchester and Poole man Aaron Turner.

And Blandford, looking to respond following a 3-1 defeat to Merley, are set to be boosted by the arrival of Luke Pidgley, Kieran Mulvey and, returning to the club, James Hall.