PORTLAND United boss Stuart Heath believes tonight’s Dorset Premier League Cup final against local rivals Chickerell United at the Wessex Stadium (7.45pm) is the perfect stage for both teams to showcase the wealth of young talent in the area.

Heath is delighted that his Blues outfit are taking on the Chickens in the showpiece occasion, which he believes is a just reward for the tremendous work carried out by both clubs over the past two years.

He said: “I am delighted that both teams have got this far because over the past couple of years they have both been great examples of how a club, at any standard, should be run.

“They have both been realistic, as well as ambitious, and they have taken the time to develop players.

“Both sets of players tonight will want to play their hearts out for their respective clubs and I am sure it will be a great advert for local football.

“The average age of both sides is in the early 20s and they are all local players. And I am sure the people who come along tonight but don’t watch either side regularly, will be surprised by just how good the talent is on show.”

Portland wrapped up the Dorset Premier League title by beating Sturminster Newton United 2-0 on Saturday but Heath is well aware of what stands in the way of his team this evening as they try and claim an historic double.

He added: “Chickerell beat us 2-0 in the league a couple of weeks ago and they are a difficult side to break down. However, I did not feel that we played to our strengths that day and that is why we will play a little differently tonight in a bid to do exactly that.

“Matt White and Callum Ross-Jennins will both obviously be disappointed to miss out through injury but apart from those two everyone else is raring to go.

“We have done well to get to the final and now it is just a case of reproducing the form that got us there. It is a one-off game and anything can happen but usually in big cup games it is the team that plays as close to its potential as possible that comes out on top.

“They have a great team spirit, just like we do, and I am anticipating a very tight game.”

Chickerell will finish runners-up in the Dorset Premier League should they claim maximum points from their last two league encounters and at the moment they are the team to beat having put together an astounding unbeaten run of 19 games.

Chickens’ manager Maurice Welch said: “Tom Hastie and Liam Beads will both miss the game due to injury while Scott Henley (thigh), Dan Welch (chest) and Liam Miles (shin) are all carrying knocks but should be okay.

“I did manage to rest a few in our 4-1 victory over Sturminster Marshall at the weekend, which was good, and we will go to the Wessex tonight looking to enjoy it.

“There is a lot of good talent in the area and hopefully this evening will show that and provide an entertaining spectacle for what will hopefully be a good crowd.

“It is 1-1 at the moment, as they have beaten us and we have beaten them this year, and I am expecting another really close encounter.

“Both teams have had great seasons and the fact they have won the league just shows how strong they are. However, we are right up there with them in the top three or four in our first season at this level, which is a fantastic achievement, and hopefully we can put on a performance this evening that will reflect just how far we have come.”

* Admission prices for tonight’s game will be £4 for adults and £2 concessions.