PORTLAND United's Dorset Senior Cup quarter-final with Verwood Town has been postponed due to Storm Barra.

Gusts of up to 55mph are expected in Dorset this evening as Barra hits the south of England.

Conditions have been deemed unplayable at the Camp & Satherley Stadium and the fixture will now be played at a later date, yet to be announced.

Prior to the postponement, Portland boss Franklyn Clarke wanted to retain the momentum of the Blues’ excellent run of form.

Clarke’s Blues side are placed one league above Verwood, with Portland in the Wessex Premier and Town in Wessex Division One.

Their league positions make Portland favourites on paper and a sterling sequence of just one loss in seven games – including a memorable 7-3 win at Fareham on Saturday – adds to the Blues’ favouritism.

Clarke told Echosport: “We’re going into it with a strong side and we’re looking to get a bit of momentum, try and be as clinical as we were (Saturday).

“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a good opportunity to put in a good performance and keep that level high.”

READ MORE: Fareham Town 3-7 Portland United - match report

On his side’s chances of winning the silverware, Clarke said: “Oh, there are some big teams in the competition.

“Look, if anything it’s a great experience for the lads. If we get through, we’ll see who we get in the next round and hopefully it will be a tasty one.

“Our focus is on (Verwood). There’s some big sides but we’ll see how far we can get.”

The postponement gives Liam Sayers (knee) a chance to recover.

“We’ll have to assess Liam,” Clarke explained.

“It’s his knee. He’s had issues in the past and it just didn’t feel right. There’s no point in risking him.”