AMESBURY TOWN 0

PORTLAND UNITED 3

PORTLAND United manager Gary Bailey felt his side were back to their best as they brushed aside Amesbury Town 3-0 at Bonnymead Park.

First-half goals from Jamie Beasley and Tom Richardson set the islanders on their way before Max Buckler sealed the three points late on in the game.

Afterwards, Bailey told Echosport: “I am delighted with the clean sheet.

“We showed that resilience that we haven’t shown over the last couple of games and to go away from home to a tough place like Amesbury is very pleasing indeed.”

The islanders were dominant for much of the contest and took the lead in the 17th minute thanks to a mishit lob from Beasley. He ended up putting his shot into the top corner and helped the visitors gain the upper hand.

The Blues kept on pressurising the hosts and doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute through Richardon. A Ryan McKechnie cross found the striker inside the area and he produced a precise header back across goal to give his side a 2-0 lead at the break.

Gary Bailey’s men have struggled to maintain their form in recent matches but, here, they kept their composure and chalked up that elusive clean sheet.

There was just enough time at the end of the game for Buckler to net his third goal in three games and seal the three points.

Blues: Lillington, Smith, Whyton, Carmichael, Clarke, Watts, McKechnie, Buckler, Beasley (Bastick 60), Halloran, Richardson (Godfrey 70). Sub not used: Bessant