PTFC GEORGE INN 1 PTFC MOLYNEUX 1

TOP of the Portland Town Inter-club League beckoned for the winners of this latest contest between George and Molyneux.

Unbeaten George, bolstered by the signing of Malcolm Birch at centre-back, settled first and played some entertaining football with Steve Reid pulling the strings in the middle of the park for Mike O’Donovan’s side.

Molyneux keeper Chris Stones was called into action on a frequent basis, as the half progressed with his back four of Ben Rowe, James Duncan, Justin Hunt and Jake Gilbert unable to contain a flurry of attacks.

On 20 minutes, the pressure told when a George corner, taken by Lee Whisselle, was sent towards goal by Molyneux’s Duncan before being kneed into his own net by Hunt for 1-0 to the home side.

Molyneux, managed by Andy Barber in the absence of Colin Rice, rang the changes at half-time with new signing Luke Sparks making his debut.

Sparks was brought down in the box on 75 minutes by the otherwise impressive Dan Vaughan for the referee to point to the spot.

Sparks stood tall and despatched the equaliser past Mike Orchard in the George goal for a final scoreline of 1-1 O’Donovan said afterwards: “It was a game void of quality, if I’m honest.

“But, at the end of the day, we are top of what’s turning out to be a very competitive league and we remain unbeaten."

Portland Town Reserves brought down the curtain on their pre-season programme with a 2-1 win over Division Three opponents and new boys to the league, Crossways.

Town gave a good account of themselves and two headed goals in either half, firstly from Steve Reid and a winner from Matt Greening was enough to secure the win.