BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY 2

PORTLAND UNITED 3

PORTLAND United endured a rollercoaster ride of a match that saw them claim their third successive league win, beating Blackfield & Langley 3-2.

The islanders went into the match in 10th place in the Sydenham Wessex Premier Division, some eight places and 15 points behind their opponents.

The Blues have played their way into form having beaten Baffins Milton Rovers 6-0 and Newport IoW 1-0 in their last two Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division matches.

Blackfield and Langley meanwhile were unbeaten in five games which include a huge 9-0 thrashing of Hedge End Town in the Southampton Senior Cup.

The match began badly for the away side as they went behind in the sixth minute to a tap in from close range.

However, the Blues weren’t behind for long as Lewis Clarke equalised with a shot from close range five minutes later.

A good attacking display from the Blues saw them claim the lead in the 44th minute.

Clarke grabbed his second goal with a tap-in after a break down the right-hand side and a cross in from Sanchez Baker.

An equaliser early in the second half halted the momentum for the Blues as they once again had to pick themselves up and go again.

However, mid-way through the half they grabbed the winner through a penalty after Jamie Beasley scored after he was brought down in the box.

Their lead was preserved despite the Watersiders being given a late penalty which earned Alex Halloran a yellow card for his protesting.

The penalty was saved by keeper Sean Lillington before Halloran was sent off with a second yellow for a late foul as Portland held on to their third successive league win. The result takes Portland up to ninth in the table on 26 points while their opponents remain in second with 38.

Portland boss Simon Browne said: “It’s a fantastic result, Blackfield have been one of the powerhouses of the Wessex League and to go their backyard and get a 2-3 win is a great result and thoroughly deserved.”

“I hope this will prove to them that while we’ve had a bit of an indifferent start to the season after last year’s success that we’re starting to get to the point where they believe we are a good side and I’d like to think we can kick on from here.”

Blues: Lillington, Smith, Bessant, Butcher, Whyton, Payne, Mckechnie, Halloran, Clarke (Godfrey 46), Beasley (Zima 75), Baker. Subs not used: Parslow

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