Tough test for US Portsmouth as they bid to maintain long winning Wessex League run against rejuvenated Folland Sports

US have rattled off eight successive Division 1 victories since Folland were relegated from the top flight of the Wessex League in 2015/16.

The Planemakers have finished fifth bottom, bottom and fourth bottom in the three completed seasons since, and were bottom again when 2019/20 was cancelled in March.

But under new boss Dave Herbert Folland are rejuvenated, hitting top spot on Tuesday on goal difference after their fourth straight win, a 4-0 romp at Totton & Eling.

Folland have already won more league games this term than they did in 28 attempts last season.

James Thomson netted a hat-trick at T & E, taking his league tally to five in three league outings.

Thomson has form at this level, hitting over 20 goals when Hamble Club won Wessex 1 in 2016/17 at the first attempt.

US, meanwhile, are protecting their own 100 per cent home league and cup record in 2020/21.

But they welcome Folland to HMS Temeraire on the back of an injury-time loss at Alton on Tuesday that has already left them playing catch-up.

‘It’s a massive game,’ said US boss Glenn Turnbull, keenly aware that he doesn’t want to slip too far behind the leading pack so early on.

‘The league isn’t going to be won or lost in September, but at the moment we’re making things a bit harder for ourselves.’

Striker Andrew Todd will return after missing Tuesday’s loss, but right wing-back Frankie Paige is a doubt after pulling a hamstring at Alton.