MASON WAITS AS BLUES AIM TO BOUNCE BACK

From the Echo, first published Tuesday 21st Oct 2003.

CARETAKER boss Pete Turrell has resisted the temptation to add Andy Mason to Portland's squad to face Bournemouth Poppies in the Sydenhams Wessex League at Grove Corner tonight (7.45pm).

The former Weymouth midfielder returned to action at the weekend following a six-week lay off brought about through injury and suspension.

But despite his run out in the reserves 3-2 defeat at Sturminster Marshall, Turrell reckons the 36-year-old needs more time to prove his fitness.

"Andy appears to have come through the reserve game okay," said Turrell, "but no one is expecting miracles. Six weeks or so is a long time when you're not playing and training and there's no way we can expect him to just pick up where he left off.

"I think he's going to need at least another week although there's an outside chance he might be okay for Saturday's game against BAT."

After Saturday's 6-1 mauling at the hands of leaders Winchester City, the Blues will be hoping to score their first victory since the resignation of Nick Preston a fortnight ago.

When the two sides met at the Victoria Ground last month it was Poppies who stole a narrow 1-0 win although the islanders can claim some genuine excuses for that reversal.

"Nick went to Bournemouth with a side full of kids that night," explained Turrell, "and yet it was probably one of our best performances of the season. The lads worked their socks off for each other and were unlucky not to get something out of the game.

"Tonight we'll be putting out a much stronger side and hopefully that and home home advantage will see us through. Certainly there's plenty of confidence in the camp and I think we can put the Winchester result down as a one off."

He added: "I've not seen a better team at Grove Corner since we entered the Wessex League and I've got no doubts we were beaten by this year's champions. Poppies won't be coming here to do us any favours but I just can't see them or anyone else emulating Winchester."

With Andy Turrell and Chris Naylor still injured and goalkeeper Paul Myers suspended, the Blues go with the same squad of players who saw duty against City with Dan Skelton and Mike Wisden added as defensive cover.

Blues: George, J Dailey, Carter, Rogers, Reader, Evans, Bews, Whalley, Reeve, Laws, Perkins, L Dailey, Wallis, Wisden, Skelton.