PORTLAND United boss Franklyn Clarke believes the Blues’ friendly with Southern League side Wimborne Town provides the “perfect opportunity” for his young squad to test themselves.

Clarke’s men ran out 4-1 winners over the islanders’ reserve team in their first pre-season game on Friday.

Ben Morris grabbed a hat-trick alongside Lewis Clarke’s strike, while Aaron Ryan netted for the reserves.

And Clarke feels the meeting at Wimborne tonight (7.30pm) will give his players an ideal indication of what it takes to move up two divisions.

Asked what he’s looking to see from his side, Clarke said: “Just to go there and put in a good performance.

“They’re two leagues above but that’s what we want – we want a good test.

“To have a tough game early in pre-season will be good for us and will be an opportunity for our lads to show what they’ve got against higher opposition.

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“We’re full of lads who have potential to play at a higher level. How long that takes depends on how quickly they develop.

“It’s the perfect opportunity for them to see what it takes to step up two leagues and to measure where they are at the moment.”

Looking back at the Blues’ 4-1 inter-club win, Clarke added: “It was the perfect pre-season game.

“It gave me a chance to look at our lads but also the younger lads we’ve got coming through.

“A few of them did really well and will be involved in the squad at Wimborne, so it was definitely a worthwhile occasion.

“I just wanted the reserves to push the first-team lads and it was their first game back in a long time. It was nice to get some proper match fitness in.

“Happy with the first-team and I was really impressed with a few of the younger lads.”