Royals keen to close gap on elite group

The Royals bounced back to winning ways in the league with a 2-1 home victory over Bashley on Saturday.

But manager Graham Rix is still demanding more consistency from his side, who sit seventh in the table.

‘Bournemouth are at the lower end but have picked up some good results lately,’ said the Portchester boss.

‘Sometimes we perform better against the top teams but need to maintain our levels whoever we are up against.

‘We will need to be wary of Bournemouth because we don’t want to be dropping points like we did against bottom club Verwood.

‘For us it is important that we cut out the defensive errors.

‘If we keep clean sheets we know that we have the quality to create chances at the other end.

‘I have said for a while that we are capable of stringing a run of wins together.

‘We have got ourselves into a good position but must keep the momentum going.

‘At the moment we are playing catch-up with Moneyfields and Blackfield & Langley.’

Rix is able to name an unchanged squad, with one or two players expected to shake off knocks.

Baffins Milton Rovers have another chance to show their cup pedigree when they host Andover Town in the Wessex League Cup at the Kendall Stadium (7.45pm).

Louis Bell’s side knocked premier division Horndean out of the Portsmouth Senior Cup last week.

Now they are eyeing a second senior scalp, with Bell hoping for another good turn out.

‘We had over 100 at our game last week,’ said Bell.

‘It is nice to think that our brand of football is bringing increasing numbers to the ground.

‘Andover are doing well in the league above us so this is another tough one.

‘We will need to tighten up defensively if we are to pose them a serious threat.

‘It is the first of three successive home games for us and we want to make the most of them.’

Baffins’ strike force of Tyler Moret and Ryan Pennery are in fine form and will pose problems for Andover.