BRENDON King is ready for a healthy dose of friendly banter when he takes Hamworthy United to former club Portland United today.

The 47-year-old was assistant to Dave Kiteley when Portland won back-to-back Dorset Premier League crowns in 2008 and 2009, the Islanders also reaching the Dorset Senior Cup final.

Weymouth-based King, who lives a matter of minutes from Grove Corner, took the Hammers helm in November following a five-month spell at Wimborne Town as assistant to Simon Browne.

King has guided Hammers from 18th to 14th in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier thanks to three league wins, as well as plotting a path to the League Cup quarter-finals.

Reflecting on his stint at Portland, King said: "We had a good side and they were good times. I still have a lot of friends up there and know most of the players.

"I'll be getting plenty of stick but I'm big enough and ugly enough to take that.

"It's going to be a tough match but one I'm looking forward to and so is my team. I know their side and know how they are going to play, so that's a little bit of an advantage.

"Results have been a bit up and down for us but when we've played well, we've played well.

"I know if we get on the front foot, we've got players who can hurt them in certain positions and we will be targeting that."

King was yesterday set to take a player-manager role for Weymouth old boys' charity game with Portland old boys at Grove Corner, this year in memory of former Terras boss Gerry Gow.

Ryan Dovell is rated 50-50 for today's fixture with a hamstring problem but Brandon Randall looks set to be in contention after a similar injury.

Left-back Ryan Johnson should be involved having finalised his move from Verwood Town.

Elsewhere in the division, Bashley take on Poppies at Bashley Road, Verwood Town visit Team Solent and Lymington Town entertain Brockenhurst. In Wessex One, New Milton Town tackle visitors Ringwood Town (all 3pm).