STUART Heath is hoping his players heed the lessons of Saturday’s Dorset Premier League Charity Shield defeat and respond with a positive display in tonight’s friendly clash with a Dorchester Town XI (6.30pm).

The new-look islanders suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Poole Borough at the weekend and boss Heath is keen to see an improved performance, against predominantely the Magpies' Under-18s, at Grove Corner in what will be their final pre-season friendly.

Heath, who sees Lloyd Cranny, Nick Carroll and Jeb Gay all return to the fold, said: “We learnt a lot on Saturday, especially in the first half, and I learnt a lot as a young manager. We’ll look for a better work-rate, a better performance and a better attitude tonight ahead of Saturday’s opener with Blandford.

“There are other things we need to improve on such as not giving the opposition as much time and space as well as being more creative and composed when we’re in possession, and if we can achieve that then we’ve got the potential to do well.

“Tonight is an important game for us, the result not so much, and we’ll be looking for an improvement. Hopefully we’ll look back on the defeat to Poole as a good experience for us.”

First-team keeper Regan Coward, 19, will don the gloves for Dorchester with Under-18 gloveman Sam Filkins taking his place in the senior side.

Boss Phil Basford will also be without the services of defender Jamie Hopkins, who could be sidelined for up to six weeks.

Basford said: “We’ve lost Jamie for four to six weeks after he twisted his knee in the game at Piddletrenthide United, and losing him is a big blow for us. We’ve got people who can come in but it is a shame.”

Of tonight’s meeting, Basford added: “Portland will feel they have a point to prove after losing on Saturday and it will be tough test for us, but a good one at the same time.

“We’ve got a lot of technical ability in the squad but playing friendlies against the likes of Portland will give them that extra bit of toughness ahead of our FA Youth Cup match with Eastleigh on September 2.”

Following this evening’s game the young Magpies take on Poundbury Rovers at Cattistock on Thursday.

Blues (from): Carroll, Cox, Cranny, Dailey, Conning, Perkins, Walker, Lambert, Gay, Borthwick, Godfrey, Biles, Halloran, Whyton, White, Price, Skelton.

Magpies (from): Coward, Amey, Bastick, Butterworth, Chance, Fellows, Gill, Hall, Jones, Kellaway, Lloyd, Spicer, Taylor, Trevett, Turk.