JAKE Richmond is relishing tomorrow’s clash with reigning champions Hamworthy Recreation (3pm).

Rec visit the Bob Lucas Stadium with eight wins from nine in the Magna Dorset Premier League while the Terras have managed just two victories from 10 games.

But joint-boss Richmond believes his men will be up for the challenge.

He said: “The harder the team, the better we tend to perform. We were poor against Wincanton earlier in the season but our performance against Portland was probably our best of the season.

“You find out more about your players when you’re up against decent opposition so bring them on.

“I don’t care if we beat them or not, I just care about the performance and whether the players are listening to what they’re being told.”

Chickerell United will be out to make it a ‘Great Eight’ tomorrow when they travel to Merley Cobham Sports in the Magna Dorset Premier League (3pm).

The Chickens have won their last seven in all competitions but they are certainly not underestimating this weekend’s opponents, who are seen by many as a potential banana skin.

United boss Maurice Welch said: “Portland beat them 4-0 last weekend but I spoke to some of their lads afterwards and they said Merley are a decent side, so we will go there and treat them with the respect they deserve, and hopefully come away with a good result.

“Nick Etherington is unavailable again this week but Ben Skelton should be back, and Josh Why and Antony Carlile could return too.”

Another team in a rich vein of form is Portland United but they will also have their work cut out tomorrow at league leaders Holt United.

The Blues go into the top-of-the-table tussle off the back of three successive victories but boss Stuart Heath is well aware his men may have to step up a gear again in order to overcome a Bulls’ side that has won eight and lost just one of their 10 league encounters so far.

He said: “They’ve had a fantastic start to the season and it is an important game for us. We’ll make sure we prepare right.

“Thankfully we are in a position where we can go into a big game like this in good shape. We have turned the corner in the last few weeks and it has come at the right time.”

Ashley Smith could return for the Blues, who sit just three points behind Holt in fifth place.

Bridport Reserves are expecting to take a similar squad to Hamworthy United Reserves.

The Bees drew 3-3 with Poole Borough last weekend and are keen to get back to winning ways.

Boss Steve Crabb said: “Jamie Morgan will miss out through injury but apart from that we should have pretty much the same squad.

“Gary Bulman is back from suspension while Sam Charles starts his, so there maybe one change depending on what Trevor Senior wants to do with the first team.”