BALTI Sports’ boss Marco Nott is “desperate for a cup run” as Bridport Reserves visit Weymouth College in their Dorset Senior Trophy first round clash tomorrow (2.30pm).

Nott’s men have consistently fallen short of their target to go deep in cup competitions during his tenure.

Balti are aiming for a cup run in a bid to sustain a stronger Dorset Premier League challenge, with good form required later in the season.

Nott told Echosport: “I say it every year but I’m desperate for a cup run – we’re notoriously poor in the cup.

“A cup run is really important to keep the interest of everyone and keep the season alive.

“We’re very keen to try and progress to the next round and we’ll be going full strength to do that.”

Ethan Devaney could return but Ryan Dovell (broken foot), Che Curran, Sean Zima and Phil Anderson (all unavailable) plus Sammy Nichols (suspended) miss out.

Dorchester Sports, meanwhile, travel to Sherborne Town Reserves (2.30pm) in the Trophy with a defensive crisis.

Five defenders – Ben Thomas, Brandon Heal, Ash Smith, Jamie Sibley and Jake Mansley – miss out but new dual signing Alfie Toland links up from Dorchester Town.

Despite a defensive shortfall, boss Ashley James insists Sports will go “all out” to advance to the second round.

He said: “Hundred per cent we want a run in the cup – it’s the only cup we’re going to be in this season.

“The DPL cup, we got to the semi-final last year before it got called off. They’re not doing it this year I think.

“We didn’t get in the FA Vase this year because of the numbers that were allocated.

“The Senior Trophy’s the only cup we’re going to be in, so we’re going all out to do well in it.”

Blandford United, meanwhile, host Dorset Senior League side Beaminster at Park Road (2.30pm).

Royals’ boss Jamie Haylock will aim to avoid both complacency and a cup shock.

He said: “I’ll be in the lads’ heads. They’re a team from the league below and we need to be professional and treat them like any other team.

“We’re not in great shape for whatever reason. We’ll play a relatively strong side, with one or two changes, and go out with the same gameplan as (if it were) anyone else.”

United are expected to hand a debut to AFC Blandford striker Sam Watson after the two clubs merged during lockdown.

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