EAST COWES VICTORIA 0 PORTLAND UNITED 2

PORTLAND United extended their advantage at the top of Sydenhams Wessex League Division One after a hard-fought victory over East Cowes Victoria.

While second-placed Amesbury Town knocked Christchurch out of the Wessex League Cup in extra-time on Saturday, the Blues were back in league action against a side they had beaten 8-0 earlier in the campaign.

And although they only struck twice on this occasion, through Alex Godfrey and Ashley Smith, manager Gary Bailey was happy to return from the Isle of Wight with all three points.

He told Echosport: “They (East Cowes) made it as hard as they could for us and it was up to us to break them down. We plugged away and got the job done, and that was important.

“You don’t know what you are going to play against with them because they have already used 39 different players this season.

“We weren’t really under any threat of losing the game but we certainly weren’t at our best.

"We have played better but when you go to places like that with that weather it is just a case of getting the three points.”

The Blues left skipper Lewis Whyton on the bench as he was struggling with a knee injury.

Without being in much danger, the visitors struggled to get to grips with the testing conditions but managed to take the lead just short of the interval.

A cross from Ed Bastick was met by Godfrey who slid in and showed great desire to put the ball over the line.

Blues goalkeeper Sean Lillington was then tasked with making a smart save in the second period as the Vics played a ball over the top which drifted on the strong breeze and allowed an attacker to run through the Portland defence.

But, with a goal advantage, the away side stayed patient and eventually got their second goal on 80 minutes to wrap things up.

Neat interplay from Alex Halloran and Gareth Will resulted in the ball being fired into the danger zone and Smith got the last touch.

That sealed the Blues’ 11th league win in 12 games and took them seven points clear at the top of the table.

“It keeps the run going and it’s a good clean sheet which is very pleasing,” Bailey added.

Blues: Lillington, Smith, Bessant, Carmichael, Morris, Mutch, Halloran (Camp), Doidge, Bastick, Godfrey, McClements (Will). Sub not used: Whyton