DORCHESTER Sports’ boss Ashley James expects a tight affair when Portland United Reserves travel to the Clayson Stadium for their Dorset Premier League Cup quarter-final tomorrow (1.30pm).

Referring to the 1-1 draw between the sides in league action this season, James feels the cup tie will offer a repeat of what was a closely-fought encounter.

On that day, Sports’ striker Alex Stafie cancelled out Mo Hereka’s opener and James believes the quarter-final could be decided by fractions.

He told Echosport: “It was an even game that day, so I can’t see it being any different. Probably narrow margins will decide it.

“We haven’t had a decent cup run for a couple of years, so it’s always nice to stay in them for as long as you can.

“Obviously Ham Rec are going to win the league, so you can’t win anything in the league when they’re around – you’re basically fighting for second place.

“It’s nice to stay in the cups, they’re important. They’re something you can win and we’ll be hoping to go one step further (tomorrow).”

On Portland, James added: “From when we played them in November, I think they should be higher (than 14th).

“It will be a difficult game. They played really well against us and have got some top young players there.”

Sports are without Darren Watts, Pat Thomas and Jamie West (all unavailable) plus Will Gould (knee).

Ash Smith and Dan Peart return.