PORTLAND UNITED 4 PARLEY SPORTS 1

THE Blues are the team to catch in the Magna Dorset Premier League in 2013 as they surged to the top of the table with a comfortable home win.

Portland’s was the only fixture in the division to beat the weather on Saturday and the hosts made the most of it to take over from Holt United in first place.

It’s been a great first half of the season for the islanders with just one defeat so far and two games in hand over their nearest rivals.

“To go into the new year on top and with games in hand is fantastic,” said manager Chris Wilson. “All credit to the players, it’s down to their hard work but they know they’ve got to knuckle down now.”

The home side utilised playing with the wind in the first period and swept into a 3-0 interval lead thanks to goals for Lewis Whyton, Mitchell Conning and Carl Mutch.

Striker Mutch struck for a second time after the restart and although Parley pulled one back late on the three points were always in the bag for the Blues.

“We played well in the first 30 minutes,” said assistant-manager Derek McKay. “The weather was atrocious but we played with the wind for most of the first half and led 3-0 at half time.

“But Parley had a good spell in the last 10 minutes and could have caught us on the break and scored.”

Defender Whyton opened the scoring when he prodded into the roof of the net from six yards following a corner then Conning’s effort from 20 yards was deflected past the Parley keeper by one of his own defenders.

Some good work down the right by Conning set-up Mutch, his header making it 3-0, and in the second half the same player was on hand to tap in from three yards after a run and cross from Joe Toghill.

The visitors did manage a scrappy consolation 10 minutes from time but that was as good as it got for the team in eighth.

“All the work was done in the first half, we did what we needed to,” added McKay. “We kept a good shape when they had the ball and Parley do pass it well.

“The league position is looking very strong for us now.”

Next up for Portland is an away game at mid-table Wareham Rangers on Saturday.

Blues: Weeks, McKechnie, Whyton, Carmichael, Dailey (Newnham 75), Conning, Halloran, Smith, Toghill (A Skelton 70), Linaker (Marshallsay 80), Mutch. Sub not used: Bickerstaff