Suspended captains to miss Swans test (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Suspended captains to miss Swans test

8:30am Friday 1st January 2010

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Portland United’s captaincy duo of Lloyd Cranny and Lewis Whyton will both miss tomorrow’s Dorset Premier League clash with Swanage Town & Herston through suspension.

The Blues slipped to seventh over the festive period as they have been without a fixture since December 12, but manager Stuart Heath hopes the visit of Swanage can provide them with a change in fortune against the top clubs when they meet at Grove Corner (2pm).

However, Heath’s side could also be without Tommy Hastie and Alex Halloran with ankle knocks while Mat White remains on the treatment table having damaged his knee against Hamworthy United in the Dorset Senior Cup on November 7.

Heath said: “Missing your captain and vice captain is not ideal but at the same time it gives players like Liam Greatrex and Joe Childs an opportunity to show what they can do and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they perform.”

Portland have done well but struggled to get points against the sides leading the way in the Dorset Premier League table.

“We went through a stage where we lost four in a row against good teams by just the odd goal in each game,” said Heath. “We need to be more ruthless, especially in front of goal and not waste chances against good teams.

“Swanage are one of three or four teams who can win the league this season and they were the only team we didn’t manage to beat last season.”

The Blues had a fantastic 2008/2009 campaign, winning three trophies, but have opted for youth this time around after the Dorset Premier League winning squad dispersed over the summer.

“We are not looking too far ahead but our long term aim is to have a squad together that will see us through three or four seasons and in a couple of seasons time be successful again in this league,” said Heath.

Mitch Conning should return to the side from holiday to give Portland a timely boost while Nick Carroll and Liam Miles should play for the first time since serving suspensions at the end of November and start of December.

Blues (from): Carroll, Greatrex, Wells, Dailey, D Skelton, Maxted, Godfrey, Morgan, A Skelton, Churchill, Conning, Turrell, Charles, Austin, Miles.

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