US Portsmouth have chance to take another step towards Wessex League Premier Division at fellow promotion hopefuls Downton

It’s first versus fourth in the Wessex League Division 1 on Saturday as table-toppers USP make the trip to the Robins.

At present, Turnbull’s side sit seven points above Downton having played a game more.

Should US Portsmouth avoid defeat, it would be another step in the right direction as they eye one of the four promotion spots in the division this term.

And there is an added incentive for Turnbull heading into the game.

Downton recorded a 4-2 win at Burnaby Road in December and the USP boss wants his troops to put that result right.

‘It’s a big one,’ said Turnbull.

‘This is an opportunity to put some distance between us and them.

‘We kind of want to put on a better show against them.

‘They came down and done a real job on us earlier in the season.

‘They beat us convincingly earlier in the season.

‘As the weeks dwindle by, it’s for us to keep putting points on the board and worrying about ourselves.

‘But there are going to be some weeks now where some of the teams could be playing three times a week soon.

‘Andover have got three games in hand on us, we’re seven points in front.

‘But three games in a week, you could be the best team in the world, you only need a couple of injuries or fatigue - not everything always goes to plan.

‘We’ve got the points on the board, so we’ve been lucky on that front.

‘There are 10 games to go now, we’ve got our targets.

‘If we can get those then we’ll be on track.’

US Portsmouth have a full squad to choose from for the trip to Downton.

Leading scorer James Franklyn is now fully fit having shaken off an ankle ligament injury.

‘Franko (James Franklyn) was available last week (against Ringwood) but we gave him an extra week,’ added Turnbull.

‘He did the warm-up last week and he was desperate to be involved.

‘But we took the decision of an extra week to play 10 games or play one and miss four or five of those.

‘We’re full strength with no issues at the moment.’