Lacy late show sees off Portland United Reserves

TWO goals in the final five minutes killed off any hopes Portland had of taking something from their trip to Kingston Lacy in the Dorset Senior League.

Boss Steve Coward was far from happy with the standard of refereeing at Pamphill Village Green as his side’s run without a win was extended to nine games.

Substitute Connor Wardlaw thought he had made it 1-1 in the second half but after his effort struck both posts the man in the middle decided it had not crossed the line.

That, together with what Coward thought were some dubious offside decisions and leniency towards a few meaty challenges from the home side, left the visitors sensing it was never going to be their day.

“I’m never one to moan about officials but I’ve never seen anything quite like it,” he said. “We had the ball in the back of the net but it was disallowed and there were two-footed tackles coming in left, right and centre.

“We were unfortunate. We put out a young side again and were in the game at 1-0 down against a top four side.

“It wasn’t too disappointing but conceding three goals makes them look a lot better than us.

“We didn’t create too many chances but dominated possession. Our trouble is scoring goals but it was one of those scrappy matches where there wasn’t a lot of football played.

“The only thing they had was a long ball over the top but they had a good striker who was sharp and knew what runs to make before the ball had been played to him.

“Kingston Lacy are a physical side and the trouble is that when you play someone like that you’re playing against a team that has been together for a number of years.

“Being a reserve side you never get the same team out every week.”

On the goal that never was, Coward added: “I thought it had gone over the line but I couldn’t be 100 percent certain.

“It seemed to hit one post, go across the line, come back out and hit the other post.

“But I was more worried about the fouls and offsides.”

After a goalless first half, Portland were still in the game trailing 1-0 but chasing a goal they left themselves open at the back and the hosts made the most of it in the closing stages to score two more.

Blues: Theakstone, Kelly, Curran, Maxted, Lambert, A Skelton, D Skelton, Townley, Preston (Wardlaw 75), Hansford, Arliss. Sub not used: Guilbert