Derby delight for Spartans

THE Spartans secured the derby day spoils in Dorset League Division Two by defeating Portland Town 5-3 at Redlands.

Grant Chance put the hosts ahead after just 32 seconds after Callum Bigg’s header had been saved and the early onslaught continued with a second soon after.

This time Dale Powell and Martin Roberts combined to release Chance and when he crossed the ball into the box there was Marcus Simpson to volley home.

Portland looked completely stunned and by the 20-minute mark they were three down with Bryn Lewis the next on the score-sheet with a wonderful strike from 20 yards.

Chance then hit the bar before ex-Spartans striker Paul Cole pulled a goal back from a free-kick just prior to half-time to finally give the visitors some hope.

With the weather worsening in the second half, the game became a lot more scrappy but it was the Spartans that started the brighter again with Roberts curling in a stunner on 48 minutes to regain the three-goal buffer.

Chance then latched on to a through ball from Simpson to make it 5-1 before the islanders went on to grab two more consolations through a cheeky back-heel from Elliot Gould and a composed finish from Ross Jones.

Spartans’ manager Kieron Howes said: “This game was just about the result. It was always going to be a bit scrappy but we got the points.

“I thought Bryn was fantastic in the middle again while the front two are forming a cracking partnership up top.

“Take nothing away from Portland Town though, they battled well and with the likes of Cole, Smith-McFarlane and Gould they are going to test teams this year for sure. All in all we have to be pleased."

Town boss Colin Rice added: “We didn’t really deserve anything. We were too slow to get started and we are learning a hard lesson in this division where you get punished the moment you switch off.

“With no game this coming weekend we have time now to regroup and reflect on our mistakes.”

Marlboro Man of the Match: Bryn Lewis Ricol Leisure Man of the Match: Paul Cole