DORCHESTER Sports are expected to sign Portland United defender Shaun Bessant ahead of their Dorset Premier League trip to Westland Sports tomorrow (3pm).
Bessant is good friends with Jamie Symes and Alex Godfrey – the duo having already made the switch from Portland to Sports this season.
Sports have made a number of impressive signings in the summer but boss Ashley James feels the new trio will need time to gel with his current squad.
He told Echosport: “We have signed Shaun and we’re hoping that will be done by (tomorrow) ready for him to play.
“Him, Alex and Jamie are good friends so it’s good to get those three on board.
“Hopefully everything will start to tick and we’ll start picking up points. We haven’t had a pre-season with them, which is slightly more difficult.”
On Westland, he added: “Defensively they’re probably the best in the league, they won’t give you many chances at all.
“Hopefully we can get the goal when we’re on top, that will be the aim to take our chances because we’re not going to get many of them.”
Jamie Rawlings and Jamie West are unavailable, as is Ash Smith who is also nursing a hamstring issue.
Meanwhile, Balti Sports travel to Wareham Rangers looking to build on last week’s 4-2 win over Bridport Reserves.
He said: “It wasn’t the best performance last week but we got three points. Hopefully we can go (to Wareham) and win.
“You never know, the pitch is a bit of a leveller. We won the two games we’re expected to win and we came close against a good Westland side.
“Wareham will be a tough task because it’s a different ball game, going away it will be interesting.”
Phil Anderson (work) misses out but Liam Taylor returns from suspension. Ethan Devaney is in contention but fellow midfielder Sammy Nichols remains suspended.
One place above Balti in fourth lie Blandford United, who host Bournemouth Sports.
Jamie Haylock’s Royals are aiming to reinforce last week’s dramatic 2-1 win over Dorchester Sports.
“We’re going to have to be at our best again,” Haylock warned.
“We beat Bournemouth 6-1 last year but the scoreline didn’t reflect the game and I know they’re stronger this year.
“It will be a tough game but hopefully we play a little bit better with the ball this time.”
Haylock will not tinker with his side, adding: “We’ll pretty much be having the same team.”
CONTACT ME:
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e: neil.walton
@dorsetecho.co.uk
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