Doidge double sends Marshall packing

8:51am Monday 6th October 2008

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PORTLAND UNITED 4

STURMINSTER MARSHALL 2

PORTLAND United fought back from 2-1 down to secure their passage into the second round of the Dorset Senior Cup.

The Blues ran out 4-2 winners against Sturminster Marshall at Grove Corner but had to do it the hard way.

And assistant-boss Brendan King praised the character of his players, who reached the final of the competition last season.

He said: "At the end of the day we're through to the next round and that's the most important thing.

"We're happy as the players showed a lot of character to come back from 2-1 down while playing against the wind, which could have killed other teams off. Instead they showed guts to go on and win it.

"The conditions weren't very good and I felt sorry for the people who came to watch but considering the wet and windy conditions we scored some good goals, one of which was worth the entrance fee alone, and played some half decent stuff."

The islanders, playing with the wind, saw Matt White, Ross Doidge and Lewis Whyton all go close before losing Richard Marshallsay to a knee injury 15 minutes in.

But the hosts opened the scoring on the half-hour when Alex Halloran's free-kick eluded everyone and went in off a post.

As the first half drew to a close, the visitors equalised with a neat finish from Dan Vator.

The wind advantage switched Sturminster's way in the second period and after Jimmy Dailey cleared off his own goal-line, the away side took the lead.

A Sam Mason corner was caught in the wind and flew straight into the back of the Portland net, evading keeper Carl Mutch, who came in for the injured Paul Gadsby.

United though hit back almost immediately. A good move involving Halloran and White resulted in the latter going around the keeper and finding Whyton who smashed home.

The Blues then grabbed the goal of the game as Halloran beat his man with a neat piece of skill and whipped in a dangerous cross, which Doidge met with a powerful header that flew into the top corner.

And the midfield man made the game safe with his second of the afternoon, again provided by Halloran.

Portland's reward is a home tie against Wessex League outfit Hamworthy United in the second round.

Blues: Mutch, Sharpe, Perkins, Cranny, Marshallsay (Dailey 15), Litherland, Jones, Doidge, Halloran, White, Whyton.