PORTLAND United have been rocked by the news that ace Lewis Whyton has been handed another three-match ban.

The former Terra was sent off for dissent during the Magna Dorset Premier League Cup defeat to Swanage Town & Her-ston more than a month ago and despite serving a three-game suspension for his misdemeanour, the striker has now been hit with another sentence.

Island boss Stuart Heath said: “Lewis is suspended for three games following an extra suspension from the game with Swanage.

“We disagree with the decision but we have to get on with it.

“He was sent off for swearing at the referee, and although he did wrong, he took his punishment. So to get another three games on top is very disappointing.”

The second-placed Blues are also without Joe Toghill, Tom Carter and goalkeeper Nick Carroll for tomorrow’s league clash with Blandford United (3pm).

Previewing the Grove Corner encounter, Heath added: “They have had a very good season and they have picked up some very impressive results in the last few months.

“They will come here with nothing to lose and they will give it their best shot and raise their game given our position in the league.

“We need to be aware of that and play with belief and confidence.

“I do feel that if we can get to the start of April and still be in touch at the top of the table then we will have as good a chance as anyone.

“Half the battle is getting the players to believe they can do it.”

Jake Richmond is calling for more of the same from Weymouth Reserves following last Saturday’s narrow defeat at table-toppers Hamworthy Recreation.

The Terras gave the reigning champions a real scare and will no doubt be hoping to go one better at home to third-placed Westland Sports (3pm).

Joint-boss Richmond said: “The result last week will hopefully make Westland Sports sit up and think ‘wait a minute, we are going to have a bit of a game on our hands here.’ “We are not just making up the numbers now and with Holt United and Chickerell United to follow it promises to be an interesting period for us.

“We have got the bit between our teeth now and as long as we continue to show the same application as we did at Hamworthy Rec, there is no reason why we cannot pick up the odd point or even a victory.”

Richmond is expecting to take an unchanged squad to Yeovil where Sports have won 11 out of their 12 home games so far this season.

Meanwhile, Maurice Welch is hoping to have three players back for Chickerell United’s clash against basement boys Sherborne Town Reserves at Weymouth College (3pm).

Scott Henley, Joel Protheroe and Josh Why are all in line to return after missing the 3-2 home defeat against Poole Borough.

Manager Welch said: “At this level it is about shape and discipline, and getting the basics right.

“If you fail to do those things, you get punished and that is exactly what happened last week against Poole Borough, where we were poor everywhere on the pitch.

“Hopefully, we can rectify that this weekend and the fact we should have three players back can only help.

“It is important we try and get back to winning ways.”

Bridport Reserves will also be out to make amends following last weekend’s semi-final defeat against Parley Sports Reserves in the Dorset Senior Trophy.

The Bees travel to second-bottom Shaftesbury (3pm), who they hammered 7-2 at St Mary’s Field back in November.

Joint-boss Steve Crabb said: “If you don’t take your chances or defend properly you get punished and that was the lesson we learned last week.

“Now we have to get back to concentrating on the league and tomorrow’s away trip to Shaftes-bury, where hopefully we can return to winning ways.

“We should have a few lads back with us like Darren Lock, Roger Cummings, Adam Steele and maybe even Shane Evans, who were all cup-tied last week, but obviously that will all depend on the first team.

“The one bit of bad news is the injury Robin Jones picked up playing for the third team last weekend.

“Unfortunately, he has damaged knee ligaments and is likely to be out for at least six weeks.”