No panic for Purbrook with four cup finals to play

Defeat to Ropley last weekend was a blow but there is no need for panic.

Purbrook host United Services tomorrow and are still in the second automatic promotion spot.

Portsmouth & Southsea have been chasing hard.

But Lee knows his men still hold the advantage.

However, facing a United Services side who on their day have been very good will not be an easy task.

He said: ‘We are not panicking, it’s still in our hands.

‘We’ve got four cup finals to go, that’s how we are approaching it and we know if we win them all we will be fine.

‘United Services have been up and down really.

‘We know it won’t be easy. They have got good players.

‘We’ve got home advantage on Saturday so hopefully that will help us.

‘If we can get the win the mood will change again and some other results might go our way as well.

‘After the defeat last Saturday we could do with turning it around and we want to get our promotion bid back on track.

‘Everyone we knew we weren’t good enough on Saturday.

‘We all realised that and we will be out to rectify it.

‘Portsmouth & Southsea are still up there and we have lost an equal amount of games.

‘But our points average is still better so we are in the driving seat.’

Lee will have to make some changes to his side against Matt Easton’s Services.

He is also relinquishing wicketkeeping duties to give the team an extra bowling option.

‘I have got three changes to the team,’ added Lee.

Nathan Smelling is going to play for the seconds, while John Moller and James Holder are unavailable.

‘Alan Mengham, Josh Spiers and George Hamson will be coming in.

‘George is a batter and has done quite well with the seconds.

‘Josh plays for us when he isn’t working.

‘Alan is back in as keeper and is very experienced.

‘It means I am not keeping so I can be a bowling option.

‘I have been keeping all this season but we decided it is probably best I am out in the field.’

Third-placed Portsmouth & Southsea host bottom side Totton & Eling II who have lost nine of their 10 matches so far.

Keiron Dunstan’s side will be looking to get the win at their St James’ Hospital venue.

They need to make sure they are in a position to capitalise if Services can upset Purbrook.

Fareham & Crofton host Andover II at Bath Lane.

Burridge’s second team go to Shrewton and Ventnor seconds host Alton.

In division two Locks Heath travel to Hayling Island, while Portchester host Rowledge seconds.