DORCHESTER Sports boss Ashley James has pledged to “take the game” to runaway Dorset Premier League leaders Hamworthy Recreation at the Clayson Stadium tomorrow (2pm).

Sports have taken just four points from their past six league games and have slid down the standings to ninth, 18 points off top place.

Rec, meanwhile, have lost just one game all season and possess a nine-point lead over a cluster of teams on 34 points – Merley Cobham Sports, Westland Sports and Gillingham.

Speaking to Echosport, James was full of praise for the table-toppers’ threats going forward.

He said: “It’s a tough one to start the new year but it could be a really good way to start the year if we get a positive result – it could work either way.

“For me they’re the best side in the league and we’ll have to be at our best to get anything from the game.

“You’ve got to take the game to them. If you sit back and soak it up they just get so much possession of the ball and can just pass through teams with ease.

“The best way is to try and get at them. Last year we managed to score three goals first half but then lost the game. The instructions will be to try and get on the front foot against them and see if we can put them under a little bit of pressure.”

Sports have a near fully-fit squad to choose from, with Jamie Samways (thumb) fit again after seven weeks out.

Alex Gould (hamstring) is the sole absentee.