PORTLAND United boss Franklyn Clarke admitted he would prefer to continue the Blues’ league season but insisted his side would tackle their FA Vase campaign head on.

Clarke’s men travel to AFC Stoneham in the first qualifying round tomorrow (3pm) having shipped four goals in each of three successive defeats.

Their poor form has coincided with absences through Covid-19 plus injuries to key players.

Clarke admitted the Vase fixture gives time for injured players to heal.

Asked if the contest with the Purples is a welcome break from the league, he told Echosport: “Not really. I’d rather just carry on and plough through it.

“It allows us to get the lads who are injured and carrying knocks to get fit again for the next league game.

“But we’ll go there, relish the opportunity and give it a good go – we do every game we go into.

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“I can’t fault the lads’ energy, commitment and attitude. It’s just not quite solid enough in our own box and not clinical enough in the other box.”

Portland are creating numerous chances every game and Clarke backed his side’s luck to turn around.

He said: “In the Alresford game we beat them 4-2 and Joel Hewitt scored a hat-trick.

“We have scored goals but it’s trying to do it on a more consistent basis.”

Danny Griffiths (groin), Matty Burrows and Greg Borthwick (back) are doubts.