WEYMOUTH Reserves and Portland United are set to do battle at the Bob Lucas Stadium in an eagerly-anticipated derby in the Dorset Premier League tomorrow (3pm).

The Terras, who got back to winning ways at home to Wareham Rangers last Saturday, will be looking for revenge on the Blues after goals from Lewis Clarke, Ryan McKechnie and Lewis Whyton saw Weymouth beaten at Grove Corner last August.

Manager Jake Richmond told Echosport: “It will be a good local derby against Portland and I am hoping a few will be there to watch us.”

For the Blues, boss Gary Bailey is looking to keep the pressure on Merley Cobham Sports and Hamworthy Recreation in the race for the title.

But the island chief realises the Terras will provide a stern examination for his troops, who secured maximum points over the Easter period with wins over Tintinhull and Cranborne.

“This one always stands out in the fixtures of being a tough game and we are expecting to be severely tested there,” he added.

“As good as our results have been, we are going to have to play better than we have in the last couple of games to get anything out of it.

“But I have every faith in the boys, they raise their game when they need to and they will enjoy playing on a good surface.

“They like big occasions, hopefully most are fit and available and we will give it a good go.”

Ross Doidge is expected to return for the visitors after missing the Easter period and Ed Bastick should once again be available along with Ben Doidge and Carl Mutch.

Whyton picked up a slight thigh problem during Portland’s 3-2 win over the Cranes on Monday, but Bailey is hopeful his skipper will be fit.

And while Weymouth could provide the stumbling block for the Blues’ title-charge, Bailey is focused on his own squad, rather than who could line up for the hosts.

He added: “You never know, Weymouth’s first-team have a game so Jason Matthews will be looking after his own needs first, but they will still be strong.

“Sometimes you play them when they are strong and sometimes you play them when Jason has called a couple up but you just have to see.

“Jake will have a good squad and we will have to see what we come up against.

“We have to take care of ourselves and, if we approach it in the right way, we will always give a good account of ourselves against most teams.”