CRANBORNE 1 PORTLAND UNITED 2

Portland United survived a minor scare at the Mick Loader Recreation Ground to preserve their perfect record in the Magna Dorset Premier League.

Leading at the half-time interval thanks to Carl Mutch’s opener, the Blues were pegged back in the second period as Cranborne’s Greg O’Mallo levelled from the penalty spot.

The unbeaten islanders then proceeded to spurn a host of chances before Scott Henley came to the rescue with what proved to be the winning goal.

There was still time for the home side to have a late effort chalked off and United chief Chris Wilson warned his men they will have to be less wasteful in future matches.

He said: “For the first 20 to 25 minutes there wasn’t a lot of football played to be honest and it was a bit of a scruffy affair.

“But we then got to grips with it and were in complete control of the game. Mitch Conning was a constant thorn in their side, we created a few half-chances and we worked their keeper on a couple of occasions.

“It looked like we would score at any minute and then we did when Carl turned in from a corner.

“We went in at the break in full control but we were slow out of the blocks in the second half and the game became stretched.

“They then got a penalty which didn’t look like one from my angle but the referee was in a better position than me and he gave it. And it was 1-1 10 minutes into the second half.

“We went on to create so many chances in the second half. We worked their keeper, Lewis Whyton hit a screamer that came back off a post, he then missed one from two yards and Tom Bell missed a one-on-one.

“We created more than enough chances to deservedly win the game but we didn’t get the second goal until 20 minutes from the end when Scott went up for a corner and notched.

“I felt we did enough to win the game, we just need to be a bit more clinical as it doesn’t matter who you are playing, they will always get an opportunity to get back into the game.

“Cranborne did have the ball in the net again but the linesman’s flag was raised and it was ruled out.

“We have kept the momentum going and that was the main thing.”

Second-placed Portland entertain early leaders Holt United this Saturday in their first home fixture of the campaign.

Blues: Weeks, Cranny, Henley, Whyton, Carmichael, Harris, Skelton, Conning, Smith, Mutch (Dailey 55), Linaker (Bell 30).