PORTLAND UNITED 3

VERWOOD TOWN 0

PORTLAND United cruised to victory against Verwood Town in front of an impressive Tuesday night turnout at Grove Corner.

The result sees the Blues continue their impressive run of form which sees them sit fourth in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

A total of 126 people watched on as the islanders put in an excellent performance to comfortably win 3-0, a result which never looked in doubt.

The game got off to the perfect start with Portland completing an impressive passing move within the first minute, with the ball being worked into the area before Darren Watts finished.

It perhaps looked like the goal came too early for the Blues, who seemed to briefly lose their way in the first half, before regrouping to tighten their grip on the game.

They got their second on the stroke of half-time, as Jamie Beasley ran down the left flank, before cutting inside and driving the ball into the area for Ed Bastick to bundle home.

It was the perfect way to end the first half, and it got even better on the restart as the Blues made it three within a minute.

Some excellent work from Alex Godfrey set up Darren Watts who finished to make it 3-0.

Verwood did press forward in the second half, and forced an excellent save from Dorchester Town loanee Jordan Mulis who turned a fired effort around a post.

But what followed was a thoroughly professional display by Gary Bailey’s side, who controlled the remainder of the game to see them through to an impressive home win.

He said: “It was another pleasing, solid performance and a clean sheet, which we’re delighted with.

“It’s never easy on an evening game when the lads have been at work all day, so it’s a big ask for them to come in and perform.

“It was workmanlike performance, we did all that we had to do and I can’t grumble with three goals, a clean sheet and I was able to get a couple of young lads from the reserves on to the pitch, which was pleasing.

“It keeps that momentum going. When you’re in good form you want the games to keep coming and with the two games postponed, you never know how you’re going to come back from that. It was a perfect night and it would be greedy to ask for more.”

Blues: Mullis, Smith, Whyton (Bessant 65), Carmichael, Clarke, Halloran, Buckler, Watts, Bastick (Camp 80), Beasley, Godfrey (Jackson 65)

Attendance: 126

Match Ball Sponsors: Bill & Liz Babb

Programme Sponsors: Sprint Signs, Weymouth