Carter: Moneys must improve... Reds hope for weather boost

The Copnor club boss was disappointed to drop two points against Newport IW, even though they fought back from a two-goal deficit to claim a draw.

‘We will need to be a lot better than we were in the first half of our last game,’ said Carter.

‘I think the players thought it was going to be easy because we had beaten Newport comfortably the week before.

‘The players shouldn’t need much geeing up for a local derby and there are a lot of connections between the two clubs.

‘I want us to go into our game against league-leaders Salisbury with two wins under our belt.’

Carter hopes to have Tom Chapman back after injury but midfielder Lewis Stockford is away.

Defender Jack Lee has been ruled out for the rest of the season after damaging his ankle ligaments.

Fareham Town manager Steve Stone is anxious to see the game played with his team facing a real struggle to get all their matches completed.

They know they have to contend with a very busy run ahead.

‘We are playing every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for the rest of the season,’ said Stone.

‘On Thursday we have to cross the Solent to play Newport and I am wondering how many of my players can make the ferry.

‘It isn’t easy because all the players have work commitments.

‘If you have a large squad of 20 players then you are able to rotate things around but we don’t have that.

‘Recently we have been able to field the same back four and that has given us some consistency.’

Despite their problems the Reds are on a good run of form and will present a tricky test for the home team.

AFC Portchester are looking to lift their game as they visit relegation battling Alresford Town (7.45pm).

Manager Graham Rix was disappointed by their 2-2 draw at lowly Bournemouth.

He felt the team should have recorded a victory.

The players will need to step up their level as they look to get back to winning ways.

Rix said: ‘We were not great and yet again it was another drawn game we should have won.

‘It is up to us to make sure we go there with the right attitude and do a job.’