DORCHESTER Sports’ boss Ashley James insists his team will guard against being “cocky” when they travel to Westland Sports Reserves in the Dorset Senior Trophy quarter-finals tomorrow (1.30pm).
Westland delivered a shock in the previous round, beating Balti Sports 3-1 at Weymouth College having come back from an early Rory Zima goal.
Subsequently, James is refusing to disrespect the Dorset Senior League side with complacency.
He told Echosport: “It’s a massive game. We won’t take anything for granted or go into it too cocky, but we’re hopeful that we can progress.
“We’ll give them the respect as they beat Balti at the college in the last round. It’s going to be a difficult game but we’ll go there confident that we can get the win and get off to a good start for 2018.”
James’ men have not played since December 16, when they suffered a 3-0 loss at Hamworthy United reserves, and the manager expects Westland to “raise their game” as Hamworthy did.
He said: “I’m sure they will. Teams like Hamworthy before Christmas raised their game to the top of their level.
“(Westland) will want to get through. We’ll have to be on top form to turn them over, it’s all to play for.”
But Sports have several absentees for the clash. James said: “Jamie Rawlings and Adam Steele are unavailable and Jamie West and Danny Critchell are still not fit. Jamie Symes is 50/50. He broke his ribs against Hamworthy so it will be touch and go.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here