DORCHESTER Sports will lock horns with promotion-chasing Sturminster Newton United at the Avenue Stadium tomorrow (2pm).

Stur are one of four sides, including Swanage, Wimborne Reserves and Holt, to have applied for promotion into Step 6 for the 2024/25 season.

The Cherries currently sit fourth with as many as three games in hand on Dorset Premier League leaders Blandford, who possess an 11-point cushion on Newton.

And Sports’ boss Ashley James predicts a physical encounter with the north Dorset side, based on previous meetings.

He told Echosport: “They’re a good side, they’re still going for the title.

READ MORE: Dorchester Sports 16-0 Sturminster Marshall - report

"They’re quite direct, big and physical. A bit different to what we’ve played over the last few weeks.

“I think it will be a game that will suit us a little bit more than say, Wimborne. We’ll be confident going into it on home turf.

“We want to put in a good performance as we’ve got them next Saturday away as well.”

He added: “We drew twice with them last year. They’re direct and we deal with that better than pace in behind.

“We’re quite a big, physical side as well and we’ll enjoy the battle with them as we always do.”

Sports have just four home matches remaining and James feels an extra burden to pick up points on home territory.

He said: “Maybe, we want to win every game. Form’s been good this year and we want to end this season on a high, with 12 games left still.

“We’re going to have to use the whole squad with three games in seven days. We definitely want to win these last home games and see where we end the season.”

Goalkeeper Sam Duncalf misses out for Nick Hutchings, but Duncalf will play for Sports at Sherborne in midweek.