JOE Charles will be rested tonight as the Blues continue their search for a first win in the Magna Dorset Premier League.

The talented prospect has been struggling with a foot injury and Portland boss Stuart Heath has decided to withdraw him from action in order to give him the chance to get back into peak condition.

Heath said: “Joe has a foot injury that has affected him in the last two games so we will rest him tonight, while Dan Skelton and Steve Churchill are both unavailable.”

United have drawn their opening three league fixtures and they will have to be at their best at Grove Corner this evening if they are to claim all three points against a buoyant Bridport Reserves side (6.30pm).

The Bees have already beaten Poole Borough and Chickerell United this season, and they even ran a strong Weymouth Reserves outfit close on Saturday, taking a 2-0 first-half lead only to concede three after the break.

Heath, whose side netted a late equaliser in their latest encounter at Sherborne Town Reserves, added: “Bridport are very much like Sherborne in the way that they are much improved in terms of their reserves. As a whole the club has got a lot stronger and we are expecting a tough game.

“They have started the season well and had some really positive results so we will have to be on our game tonight there is no doubt about that.”

When asked what the missing formula is in terms of his team turning one point into three, Heath said: “In terms of performances there has not been too much wrong. I think the key is remaining patient and not putting too much pressure on ourselves.

“Expectations are a bit higher this season but it is important the players stay relaxed and just concentrate on trying to play to their potential.

“We are still lacking a bit of experience in certain areas, particularly at the back, where a little bit of naivety tends to show sometimes.

“We need to start cutting that out and be a bit more solid, while up front, we need to begin to be a bit more clinical.

“If those two areas improve then so will our results.”

Portland lost keeper Nick Carroll to Weymouth last week but Heath has no plans to bring in a new keeper to provide competition for current number one Wayne Gifford.

He said: “Ellis Cox is returning to full fitness now. He is only 18 and has a lot of potential. He has begun handling work in training and he will now provide back up for Wayne, who we feel has done really well.”

Blues: Gifford, Wells, Cranny, Carter, Austin, Smith, Godfrey, Miles, Pattison, Turrell, Coggins, Sibley, Marshallsay, Etherington, Beades

Bees: Cleal, Stordy, Day, Pincombe, A Clarke, Herbst, Bulman, Peart, McCallister, Jones, B Clarke, Gale, Moss, Boyer.