HAMWORTHY UNITED RESERVES 0 PORTLAND UNITED 2

PORTLAND United left it late to overcome Hamworthy United Reserves at the County Ground, with two goals in the last eight minutes proving enough to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Dorset Premier League.

Gary Bailey’s men enjoyed the majority of the possession throughout the contest and, apart from a couple of scares that tested Blues’ keeper Ashley Weeks, they spent a huge part of the game trying to break down the home side.

Bailey told Echosport: “We dominated and didn’t really get in any trouble other than the trouble we caused ourselves by giving it away in certain areas.

“It was frustrating going in at half-time at 0-0.

“The longer it goes on the more frustrated you get and the more desperate it becomes, then you stop doing what you’re good at.

“It just needed that one goal to settle us down and make us more comfortable.”

Chances fell to Lewis Whyton, who headed over the bar from close range, and Lewis Clarke, who missed an opportunity when one-on-one with the Hamworthy goalkeeper.

But the breakthrough eventually came on 82 minutes when replacement Ed Bastic’s cross from the left wasn’t dealt with by the visitors and Dan Newnham was on hand to smash the ball home and give his side the advantage.

And after Bailey’s men got the initial breakthrough they doubled their lead six minutes later.

Bastic latched on to Jake Price’s square ball and finished well to seal all three points.

Bailey added: “We kept a clean sheet and we stayed patient.

“We backed ourselves to eventually do it and we got our just rewards in the end.”

The Blues will now switch their attention to the clash with Bridport Reserves at Grove Corner on Tuesday evening (6.30pm).

Brandon Heal is still unavailable and Adam Linaker is a doubt for the home side, but Ross Carmichael could be back in contention for selection.

Speaking about the game, Bailey added: “We expect a battle against Bridport.

“It’s a local derby and we always have close affairs when we play them.

“They will come up with a point to prove, they are always competitive, and we just need to find some tempo to our game.”

Blues: Weeks, Newnham, Bessant (Mutch 70), Whyton, Reader, McKechnie, Smith, Halloran, Clarke, Linaker (Price 75), R Doidge (Bastic 60)