STURMINSTER NEWTON 0 PORTLAND UNITED 5 PORTLAND United geared up for today’s crucial clash at Hamworthy Recreation (3pm) by hitting five past Sturminster Newton United in a convincing victory.

The reigning Dorset Premier League champions took another step towards retaining their title as Ross Doidge, Alex Halloran, Adam Linaker and substitutes Ricky Lane and Richard Marshallsay all netted at Barnetts Field on Saturday.

The Blues, who are six points clear at the summit, received a further boost after hearing that second-placed Poole Borough had been held at home by Sturminster Marshall.

Island boss Stuart Heath said: “These games are never easy towards the end of the season but we are getting the job done and picking up maximum points while other teams around us aren’t.

“We’ve just got to try and be consistent. Hamworthy is a big game but it’s just as big as the rest. We’ll go there with a positive attitude and approach it the same way as any other game, but if we keep performing as we have been then I’m confident we’ll win.”

Of the victory over Sturminster Newton, Heath added: “We started well and tried not to give them any encouragement. We dominated possession, controlled the tempo, and scored some great goals.

“Ross Doidge also hit the bar and we had a couple disallowed but we remained patience.

“The players have been working ever so hard, and in the last few weeks of the season we’ve just got to keep our heads down and keep performing.”

Heath will be forced to make at least one change this afternoon as midfielder John Lamb is unavailable.

Blues: Carroll, Clarke, Cranny, Perkins, Reader, Litherland, Halloran (Marshallsay 46), Doidge, Lamb, Linaker (Lane 46), Whyton (Why 60).