NICK Preston reckons Blackfield and Langley will provide the ideal opposition for his Portland side at Grove Corner tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.

The Blues boss is hoping the islanders, who have seen four of their last five fixtures fall foul of the weather, won't be too rusty when they take on the lowly Hampshire outfit in the Jewson Wessex League First Division.

And Preston is calling on his players to take full advantage of Blackfield's leaky defence, which has shipped 85 goals in just 25 league games.

He said: "It's been a really frustrating few weeks and I can't wait for us to get out there and start playing competitive games again. Training is all well and good but you can't beat proper matches and tomorrow provides a great opportunity to get three points on the board."

But the manager, who is delighted with Portland's first half to the season which sees them tenth in the table, is keeping his fingers crossed that the enforced break has not done more harm than good.

Preston said: "Blackfield are struggling at the bottom and, given the break we've had, they are one of the teams I would have wanted to play given the choice. We've been working on our finishing in training to keep us sharp and as long as we're professional I can't see us having too many problems."

The only doubt for the islanders surrounds defender Mark Carter, who is suffering from a bad back, and Preston is urging his players to resume their early season form which saw them keep up with the league's pacesetters.

"Although we've had a bit of a dodgy spell lately I'm delighted with the way things have gone this season and I certainly don't think a top six place is out of our reach. But to achieve that we've got

to win games like tomorrow and hopefully we'll see a big crowd for our first game of 2003," he said.

Portland: Myers, J Dailly, Oldrid, Whyton, Rodgers, C Evans, Mason, N Evans, Whalley, Reader, Holmes, Turrell, Cornick, Naylor.

* PORTLAND Reserves continue their quest for Dorset Senior League honours with an away game against Shaftesbury Reserves tomorrow.

Portland Reserves: George, Wisden, Hegg, Wallis, Thoday, Dailey, Morgan, Turrell, Doidge, Lewis, Reader, Coombes, Court, Skelton. Leave ground 11.45.

* Portland's postponed Dorset Senior Cup quarter-final with Wimborne, has been rearranged for Tuesday night at Grove Corner, kick-off 7.45pm.