PORTLAND United visit Wessex League Premier Division leaders Horndean with “no fear”, boss Franklyn Clarke said ahead of tomorrow’s encounter (3pm).

Horndean have been in the upper reaches of the Wessex Premier for a number of seasons and look to have hit a purple patch under boss Mick Catlin.

The Deans have bagged 55 goals, conceding just nine, to sit top of the pile – level on points with Brockenhurst and with a game in hand.

Portland, meanwhile, are in 17th, have suffered just one loss in six games and are unbeaten in their last three.

Clarke’s Blues have often pushed the top teams close this season and the islanders’ manager has full belief in his improving side going into the contest.

He told Echosport: “We’re going in full of confidence with loads of lads returning.

“You can’t go into these games fearing Horndean and the likes of teams like that.

“If you do fear them, you get punished so we’ll have no fear.”

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He added: “I’m looking forward to it, these are the games that the boys want to play in if they want to push on and play at a higher level.

“It’s a good opportunity for them to measure where they’re at. We had six or seven lads out this Saturday gone and we should have most of them back.

“Horndean are a top side, even when we won the league with Blackfield it was still a hard place to go. The lads will be fully aware.”

Portland skipper Ryan McKechnie remains out with a knee injury.