PORTESHAM UNITED 4 PORTLAND TOWN 3

THE new-look management team of Pete Williams and Stu Sugg led Portland Town for the first time in a competitive match, as they made the short trip to Portesham for their opening Dorset League Divis-ion Two clash.

Things started very poorly for the islanders as the Possums were awarded a penalty in the third min-ute when keeper Adam Sedwell was adjudged to have fouled Portesham forward Andy Southern in the box.

Up stepped last season’s top scorer Matt Croxson for Portesham, and he duly smashed the ball home to put his side into an early lead.

Town then rallied and managed to get on level terms on 17th minutes, when some excellent work on the left from new signing Simon Proffitt found a surging run from man of the match Gary Prudames and he finished well to level things up.

The goal lifted Portland for a short while before Southern picked the ball up in a central position breezed past two markers and from 18 yards and curled the ball past the Town goalkeeper to restore the Possums’ lead, and Craig Mewton made it 3-1 before the break.

In the second half, things got even worse for Town as centre-back Kieron Epsley, through a lack of communication, managed to flick the ball over his own keeper to give Portesham a 4-1 lead.

It was on 55 minutes when Town got back into the game with a good finish from Sanchez Jansz-Baker, and Alex Counter got them back in contention to make it 4-3 with 20 minutes to go.

But after a frantic five minutes, the Possums settled back down and proceeded to see the game out to ensure an opening day win and three points on the board.

PORTLAND TOWN RESERVES 0

MERE TOWN RESERVES 6

PORTLAND suffered a heavy home defeat after succumbing to their Mere counterparts.

The visitors came out of the blocks and pushed the islanders back on their heels but Town stood strong for 35 minutes, soaking up the away side’s advances.

Town never really produced any clear-cut chances with only a speculative 20-yard shot from striker Matt Hill being comfortable saved by the Mere keeper.

The visitors eventually broke down Portland’s stronghold with a through ball that found their striker who slotted home past gloveman Tony Sapsford.

Mere then struck a second time to hold the advantage at the interval in this Dorset League Division Three clash.

The North Dorset side kicked off with the same gusto as they started after the break and it wasn’t long before they struck for the third time.

However, the hosts never gave up and continued to battle and show great team spirit.

Portland’s spirit almost paid off when man of the match Jamie Coleman broke free to slot over from close range.

The home side then made two changes, introducing new men Jake Gilbert and Bill Cherry, before increasing their lead with two more goals.

Just before the end, Mere found the net one last time following a quick break.