WEYMOUTH SPORTS 1 Portland UNITED RES 0 SKIPPER Carl Mutch powered home a second-half header as Weymouth Sports stretched their winning streak to five games in the Dorset Senior League.

The talismanic midfielder’s effort came on 70 minutes after a fine cross from Christian Hicks and it was enough to hold off a spirited Portland United Reserves side, who are still searching for their first away win this season.

The islanders actually started the better side with Simon Crouch shooting wide in the opening exchanges but Sports soon responded, with Robbie Rolls striking a post and sending another effort over the bar before Mutch eventually decided matters.

Winning player-manger Steve Alcock, whose side remain second and seven points adrift of runaway leaders Okeford United, said: “It’s another 1-0 win and another clean sheet. We have now conceded just one goal in our last five games and I think that speaks volumes on how we are approaching games now compared to the start of the season.

“The whole team is working hard as a unit now and because of that we are limiting sides to just a few opportunities.

“Portland are a fit, young side and they started the game quite sprightly with Crouch going through and shooting just wide early on.

“We seemed to struggle with their shape at first but as the game went on our experience told and in the last 30 minutes we managed to pretty much pin them in their own half and that is where the goal eventually came from.

“I was really pleased for Carl when he scored because he has been working really hard of late and I must also praise Christian Hicks, who has been immense this season and somewhat of an unsung hero at the back.

“Andy Harris and Simon Austin also played well but to be honest the whole team did well and I could not be any happier.”

Stuart Dixon, Jason Thoday, Tom Hastie, Josh Evans and Gerry Delaplanque all missed the encounter but Alcock is hopeful they will all be back in action soon.

He added: “Stuart failed a late fitness test but both him and Tom Hastie should definitely be available next week and with Gerry, Jason and Josh also due to return soon things are looking good in terms of the strength and depth of the squad.

“We have still got some really tough games coming up but things appear to be clicking at the moment and we just need to try and keep the momentum going for as long as possible.”

Sports: Gregg, Hicks, Austin, Harris, Alcock (MacConnachie 65), Bastick, Cleal, Mutch, Wyatt, Rolls, Reader. Subs not used: Green, Nicholson.