PORTLAND Town’s end-of-season showcase day was played out in front of an impressive crowd of more than 200 at the Bob Lucas Stadium and raised more than £1,100 for charity.

The islanders’ reserve side, managed by Dan Vaughan, took on their A team counterparts, managed by Ben White in their annual fundraising end-of-season match, the the Billiardsboutique.com Cup final.

White’s A team got off to a flying start when the boss himself fired his side in front with a powerfully struck effort that keeper Nick Gregg could only parry on to the bar and in on 20

minutes.

The A team created lots of early chances and had opportunities to increase their lead.

Ben Gilbert and Gary Woolf caused the reserve side’s back four of James Nicholls, Kevin Prince, making his first appearance for the club in eight years, James Duncan and Chris Ginifer all sorts of problems but the final ball just wasn’t good enough and they were made to pay.

Alex Counter bagged two before the break to turn the game and put the reserve side in front at

2-1.

Drama ensued in the second half with the A team’s John Chester was guilty of handball in the box, giving referee Brian Parsons no option but to point to the spot.

Counter duly obliged to seal his hat-trick leaving man of match Josh Frampton in the A team goal with no chance.

White reshuffled his side after that and introduced Matt Dunlop for Paul Barber.

The change was almost immediate when Dunlop scored a cracking free-kick for 3-2.

However, the reserves’ man of the match Robb Evans then made an impact of his own, scoring two tremendous goals in quick succession for 5-2.

Dunlop added a third for White’s boys before Counter got his fourth for a final scoreline of 6-3.

White said after the game: “I’ve won this competition for the previous two seasons and after putting us in front I thought maybe a third was on the cards.

“But it wasn’t to be and congratulations to Dan for winning it at his first attempt.

Vaughan responded by saying: “People who think it’s just an in-house friendly should come along and watch.

“The players give everything and you could see both sides really wanted to win.”

The following game was a first anniversary clash to mark a year since the passing of Dave

Price.

This game also finished 6-3, with the Portland Town Lions, managed by Paul Cole, beating the Golden Lion, managed by John Chester.

Scorers for the Portland Lions were Alex Counter, Colin Upfold, Justin Hunt, James Duncan, Chris Stones and an own

goal.

Replying for the Golden Lion was man of the match Barney Barnes with his first ever career hat-trick.

After the event, club founder Andy Barber said: “It’s important that we take this time to thank those involved.

“Peter Williams and billardsboutique.com without whom none of this would have been possible.

“Also to Liz Bell and all the staff at Weymouth FC for allowing us to use the ground.

“The 200 plus supporters and, of course, the players and managers. It was yet again another perfect day.”