PORTLAND United boss Brendon King has labelled the Blues’ Sydenhams Wessex League Cup final against Baffins Milton Rovers at Portchester as a “big occasion” ahead of today’s showpiece (3pm).

King’s men have overcome Team Solent 4-2, Tadley Calleva 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, Portchester 5-3 and most impressively Horndean 3-2 in the semi-finals to earn a shot at silverware.

Speaking to Echosport, King, who will oversee his first cup final as a manager, believes the clash is just reward for the hard work players, staff and volunteers have put in at the Weyline Stadium.

He said: “It’s something to look forward to, everybody wants to play in finals.

“It’s a big occasion and I think people have put in hard work behind the scenes that allows us to turn up and play. It would be nice to win it for all those people.

“Obviously as players and management you want to win things. That’s why you play these sorts of games and ultimately that’s our goal. We said at the start of the season we want to win things.

“That’s what all the hard work at the start of July is all about.”

With Portland last playing Sholing on April 22, the Blues will have gone exactly two weeks without a game.

However, King has ensured his players trained on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to keep them in top condition for the final.

He said: “It isn’t great but it’s the same for both teams. We’ve managed to train Tuesday, Thursday night and Saturday morning so we’re preparing for it as best as we can.

“We’ll see what players we can get back that have been out injured. Darren Watts has been training, he’s been out with a hamstring injury.

“Alex Godfrey has been training, so hopefully they’ll be fit to come through.”

Only midfielder Ross Doidge misses out through unavailability with Watts and Godfrey the sole doubts.