PORTLAND UNITED 6 TINTINHULL 1

THE Blues have one hand on the Magna Dorset Premier League title after Saturday’s thumping of Tintinhull left them needing just a point to be crowned champions.

Second-placed Wincanton did all they could to keep alive their slim chances of ousting Portland from top spot with a 6-0 rout of Merley Cobham Sports.

But with Wincanton’s fixtures now finished, they would need the Blues to lose their three remaining games and a superior goal difference to take the trophy.

Chris Wilson’s side can clinch the title in front of their own fans on Wednesday when they face Chickerell United at Grove Corner (6.30pm).

And if they play like they did against Tintinhull there is every chance of them securing first place there and then.

“We were exceptional from start to finish,” said Wilson. “We were in total control of the game and never looked threatened. It couldn’t have gone much better.

“Tintinhull can be a really awkward side but we’ve been playing some good stuff in the last couple of matches and all credit goes to the players for sticking to the game plan.

“But we can’t get carried away until that point is in the bag and we’ve got the job done.”

Portland were rampant at the weekend with Mitch Conning getting the first of their six goals with a neat right-foot finish on 20 minutes.

Conditions, however, were tricky with a strong wind behind them making the hosts’ life difficult when giving the ball some air.

But Ross Doidge did add a second on the stroke of half-time when the ball dropped to him 20 yards out and his first-time effort flew into the net.

Playing into the wind after the break actually seemed to help the home side as they could put together numerous phases of possession without losing the ball to the elements.

Conning grabbed his second and Portland’s third five minutes into the second half, finishing off a Rob Maxted cross that bounced over a defender.

It was 4-0 on the hour when Ashley Smith fired home and although the visitors pulled one back the game was put to bed when Doidge made it 5-1. And it was his thumping strike from all of 25 yards that Wilson felt was arguably the islanders’ goal of the season.

Scott Henley’s header just before the end capped a superb team performance, one that leaves the Blues on the brink of becoming league champions.

Also in the Premier League, Weymouth Reserves look good for sixth place after beating Parley Sports 2-0 at the Bob Lucas Stadium but they can be caught by Chickerell, who won 1-0 at Wareham Rangers. Bridport Reserves lost 1-0 at home to Hamworthy Recreation.

Blues: Weeks, Carter, Whyton, Henley, Carmichael, Doidge, Harris, Smith (Newnham 82), Toghill (Mutch 60), Conning, Maxted (Linaker 60)