PORTLAND UNITED 6 HAMWORTHY UNITED RES 0

A HAT-TRICK for Jake Price delighted Blues’ boss Gary Bailey, as Portland strolled to success at home against whipping boys Hamworthy United Reserves.

After opening the scoring to break his goal-drought, Price added the final two strikes of the afternoon for the island club to seal their 11th league win in 12 games.

“I am pleased for Pricey, he has been knocking on the door for several weeks now with his goals and had been playing well without scoring,” manager Bailey told Echosport. “He has hit the bar, hit the post and all his hard work paid off with his hat-trick.

“He made an impact off the bench last week and played in an attacking midfield role this week. He has always looked a threat and I was pleased he got his goals today because the lads were giving him a bit of stick about not scoring.”

It took just five minutes for the Blues to take the lead, as Price played a neat give-and-go with Alex Halloran and unleashed a 25-yard scorcher which rocketed into the top corner.

Ed Bastick then doubled the advantage midway through the first half with Halloran once again the architect, his neat back-heel set Bastick free to slot home from close range.

The Hammers then crumbled twice more just before half-time to put the game beyond doubt as Ashley Smith was put through by Charlie May to find the net, and an own goal was turned in from Halloran’s set-piece to make it 4-0.

With the game won, Price then turned on the style with 20 minutes to go as he added two more to his tally, one of which flew in directly from a corner.

Happy with his side’s professionalism, Bailey added: “We are in a good vein of form at the moment and the lads are enjoying playing with each other.

“The goals are coming and I am delighted with the clean sheets, we are getting back to where we were at the start of the season.”

The win keeps Portland hot on the heels of league leaders Merley Cobham Sports, being four points adrift with two games in hand.

Blues: Boyt, Bessant, Whyton, B Doidge, Holland (Heal 60), R Doidge, Bastick, Halloran, Price, May (Linaker 70), Smith (Clarke 60).

Match day sponsor: Dave Newey Roofing

Match ball and programme sponsor: Bob and Irene King

Mascot: Joey Garnan