GARY Bailey wants his Portland United side to make sure they are tight at the back before their Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division clash with Whitchurch United at Grove Corner tomorrow (3pm).

This comes just days after they were dumped out of the Dorset Senior Cup with a 4-3 reverse at the hands of Dorset Premier League side Swanage Town & Herston.

Now, the manager doesn’t want a repeat of midweek, calling for his defence to remain solid.

Talking to Echosport, Bailey said: “It is vital that we get back on track and that we steady the ship.

“They have to give a proper response and we have to stop shipping goals at the other end.

“That’s not just a defensive thing, it’s not aimed at the goalkeeper or the defenders, it’s for everyone as a collective.

“It’s not something we are worried about but, it’s something we are concious of.

“It’s something we will be working to address before Saturday.”

The islanders are the top scorers in the league so far this season with 49 goals from 20 games.

However, their defensive record is akin to a side in mid-table rather than one sat just six points from the summit, and Bailey is eager for a clean sheet.

He added: “It’s nice scoring goals but it can’t be at the detriment of letting them in at the other end.

“You will end up with scorelines like against Swanage, the 4-3s and the 5-4s, and you don’t always come out on top in those games.

“It’s a tricky way to play your football. It’s exciting for the neutral but there’s no longevity in that type of play.

“We will work hard that we make sure we get our defensive shape right and get a little bit more stability in our performances so we stop shipping these goals.”

Bailey is expecting to make changes for the welcoming of Whitchurch.

Alex Halloran took a nasty knock to his ankle on Tuesday night in the cup and is a doubt for the weekend.

Max Buckler was feeling his groin after the defeat but, Bailey is hopeful the midfielder will be fit for the league game.

Tom Richardson was an unused substitute in the week as he comes back to full fitness, so is likely to play a part at the Grove.

Tom Bearwish returns after being on Eastleigh duty and Darren Watts is likely to return following a brief stint out through injury.

n Elsewhere, in the Wessex League Division One, Weymouth Reserves are at home to Downton (3pm).

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