Linaker blow as Blues face Terras
By Adam Summers

Tuesday 17th August 2010

ADAM Linaker is unlikely to feature for Portland United tonight (6.30pm) after straining a hamstring in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hamworthy Recreation.

The talented striker limped off after 19 minutes of the stalemate and Blues’ boss Stuart Heath is refusing to rush him back too quickly.

He said: “He needs a rest and lots of treatment. We don’t want to rush him back and then have him missing for three months, so I very much doubt he will play tonight.”

Nick Carroll is expected to return for the Blues, as he continues to compete for the number one spot alongside Wayne Gifford, while Jamie Sibley could also be involved after being sidelined with an ankle injury.

Heath added: “We wanted to win against Hamworthy Recreation at the weekend but we showed we can cope with the best team in the league and at the moment we are going into matches fearing no one.

“However, tonight will be another important game as Weymouth will have a strong side out due to it being a midweek match. So, I am expecting it to be just as tough, if not tougher than Saturday.”

Several of the Weymouth squad will be relishing this evening’s Magna Dorset Premier League clash, particularly John Litherland, Alex Halloran and Lewis Whyton, who are all former Portland players.

Another man who will be looking forward to getting in amongst the action in a claret and blue shirt again will be Mark Robinson.

Second-string boss Brendon King has persuaded the ex-Terras first-team star out of retirement and is confident his experience will aid the development of the club’s youngsters.

Two other notable additions in the Terras’ squad are ex-Westland Sports striker Mike Rousell and youth product Tom Richardson, who has been on trial at Dorchester Town this summer.

King said: “We have a decent side on paper. A few of them might be lacking a bit of match sharpness and a lot of them have not played together before but they will all no doubt be looking to put in a performance both for the management and themselves.

“Stuart Heath has put together a decent side at Portland so it promises to be a good game with lots of young local talent on show, and hopefully that will attract a good crowd.”

Midfielders Halloran and Litherland, and utitlity player Ollie Tribe, were all unused substitutes for the Terras’ first-team in their goalless draw at Halesowen Town on Saturday.

And King reckons tonight’s local derby is an ideal chance for them and the rest of the squad to show their worth ahead of Thursday’s Zamaretto Premier Division clash against Swindon Supermarine at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

He said: “It is up to all the lads to make Ian Hutchinson’s job of selecting a side as hard as possible, particularly those who travelled on Saturday and did not get on.

“Tonight they are going to want to prove a point.”

Blues (from): Gifford, Carroll, Wells, Carter, Charles, Cranny, Miles, Smith, Coggins, Turrell, Austin, Sibley, Godfrey, Marshallsay, Etherington, Beades.

Terras (from): Weeks, Tribe, Vincent, Welch, Poole, Robinson, McKechnie, Litherland, Ironside, Halloran, Reiffer, Whyton, Rousell, Richardson, Brock.