PORTLAND UNITED 0

AFC PORTCHESTER 4

Evans (2) Todd, Kirby

PORTLAND United crashed to a 4-0 defeat to a clinical AFC Portchester side despite a promising opening spell at the Weyline Stadium in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

A brace from Rob Evans and goals from Andy Todd and Nathan Kirby sealed the deal for Portchester and sees Portland fall down a place to 12th in the table.

The islanders had started brightly in the first 15 minutes with three good chances and were having success down the wings and getting behind the Royals but there was no end product.

However, Portchester’s first goal proved damaging and arrived in the 15th minute as a poor back pass meant Portland could not clear their lines and they were punished.

From then on, the home side struggled to get into the game but, on the stroke of half- time from a free-kick, Portland goalkeeper Sean Lillington made a superb save but from the rebound the visitors notched their second of the afternoon.

In a similar fashion to the first half, Portland again started brightly in the second and pressed the away side on to the back foot.

However, a cross from the left in the 60th minute saw a fantastic header into the top left corner to see the Blues further adrift.

To further worsen Portland’s day, Alex Godfrey went off with an ankle injury and was replaced by Billy Mitchell.

Portchester finished off the rout with another goal in the 70th minute to condemn the Blues to a heavy defeat.

Portland interim manager Gary Bailey said: “We do not get too excited with the wins and we are not going to get too low with the defeat.”

Bailey added: “It is a case of taking it on the chin and dusting ourselves down.

“It was a bad day at the office and the players know that.”

“We all take responsibility for it and move on we have got a big game on Tuesday night. in the semi-final of the Dorset Senior Cup so there is no time to dwell on it.”

Portland travel to Shaftesbury Town in a last-four Dorset Senior Cup tie tomorrow.

Blues: Lillington, Butcher, Whyton, Bessant (Payne, Halloran, Doidge, Evans (Sharpe 65), McKechnie, Godfrey (Mitchell 60), Clarke

Attendance: 113 

Match and Man of Match Sponsor: Hilary Billimore

Match Ball Sponsors: Dave & Anne Crabb

Programme Sponsors: Palmer Snell Estate Agents, Weymouth

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