DORCHESTER Sports’ manager Ashley James is plotting to turn around recent patchy form against neighbours Portland United Reserves tomorrow (2pm).

Sports welcome the islanders to the Avenue Stadium having failed to beat the Blues in their past three attempts.

Portland have actually defeated Sports twice in those three outings and are one of the most improved packages in the Dorset Premier League, rising into fourth.

Sports, by contrast, have struggled for consistency and occupy tenth going into the clash.

James told Echosport: “They’re definitely a team we’re not in good form against, but it’s a new group of players and hopefully we’ve learned from our mistakes in the second game of the season.

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“We’re back to scoring some goals. Up there, we should’ve won but we came away with a 1-0 defeat.

“Hopefully we can put the ball in the back of the net on Saturday and with the form of our front players at the moment, I’m very confident we can do that.”

Asked if he was surprised by Portland’s progress this season, James replied: “No, I’m not. They’ve got some really good players. They’re young, hungry and want to impress.

“I’m definitely not surprised they are where they are. We know that if we want to beat them, we’re going to have to be at our very best.”

Sports welcome back Todd Coombs from suspension plus forward Joel Hewitt, while goalkeeper Nick Hutchings and striker Matt Groves (both groin) are 50/50.