Cup the priority as Moneys bid to avoid upset

Moneyfields turn their attention to Wessex League Cup action as they host division one leaders Portland United at Dover Road tomorrow (3pm).
Moneyfields boss Dave Carter, right   Picture: Neil MarshallMoneyfields boss Dave Carter, right   Picture: Neil Marshall
Moneyfields boss Dave Carter, right Picture: Neil Marshall

Manager Dave Carter expects a tough test and is aware his premier division side cannot afford to show any complacency.

‘We certainly won’t be underestimating Portland because they are flying at the moment,’ said Carter.

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‘They have already knocked Horndean out and we will have to be on our game to get through.

‘We know that we cannot afford to take them lightly.

‘It is an important competition for us and reaching a cup final is one of our priorities.

‘We know we can’t win the league and we are not in a relegation battle either so the cups offer us a unique opportunity.’

Carter rested a number of players in midweek and expects to draft them back in.

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Tom Chapman, Alex Shephard and Gavin Spurway are all likely to be recalled.

‘With all the games we have been playing some of the players have started to look a little bit leggy,’ said Carter.

‘My job is to juggle things around and try to get the right players out there for the right games.’

AFC Portchester make their first of two trips across to the Isle of Wight in the space of four days.

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Tomorrow they look to sink the Yachtsmen of Cowes Sports before returning to meet Newport IOW at St Georges Park on Tusday night.

The Royals bounced back to winning ways with a confident 4-0 win over Folland Sports in midweek.

Manager Graham Rix is hoping that success can be the start of another winning run.

‘If we apply ourselves correctly we will give a good account of ourselves,’ said Rix.

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‘The players have shown a fantastic attitude all season without achieving the consistency of results to go with it.

Steve Ramsey and Alex Lowley remain doubtful due to injury.

Horndean can keep their momentum going by winning at Lymington Town (3pm).

After winning at Whitchurch, Craig Pearce’s side were holding league leaders Salisbury FC to a 2-2 draw when the game was abandoned in midweek.

‘We came back from 2-0 down to be level at half-time by showing a great attacking threat,’ said Pearce.

Robbie Tambling , who scored one of the goals is ruled out of the New Forest trip due to suspension.

– KEVIN RICKETTS