BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 2

PORTLAND UNITED 2

DESPITE letting a two-goal lead slip, Portland United manager Gary Bailey was happy to gain a point in a 2-2 draw with former Dorchester Town boss Graham Kemp’s Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

The Blues took a 1-0 advantage into the break with a Jamie Beasley goal that was against the run of play.

They then added a second through Lewis Clarke before a brace from substitute Scott Joyce restored parity leaving the islanders to settle for a point.

After the game, Bailey told Echosport: “I think it is a good point.

“We had seven players missing and, to be totally frank, we weren’t at our best.

“We gave them far too much time and space on the ball and it was a bit of a smash and grab to go 1-0 up.”

That first goal came in the 25th minute. After some good interplay from Clarke and Tom Bearwish found Beasley on the left wing, he produced a smashing finish to take the lead.

After a scrappy first half, Clarke doubled the advantage on the counter attack.

A Bemerton corner was cleared up to the former Weymouth man and he rounded his defender before lofting the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Then, on came Joyce to change the game. Portland hadn’t been in complete control of the game throughout and they were being put under constant pressure from the hosts.

The Harlequins netted their first on the hour mark.

A free-kick wasn’t cleared and Joyce was on hand to tap home.

Sean Lillington then made a couple of saves to keep the visitors ahead before the hosts drew level with 10 minutes left.

A long ball over the top sent Joyce – with a hint of offside – in again and he made no mistake with the finish to send both teams home with a point.

Bailey added: “Had the scoring gone differently, I think I would have been thrilled with a point.

“It was a really good point and a tough place to go when we weren’t at our best and sometimes in football, you have to accept

that.”

Portland are back in action on Tuesday night against Swanage Town & Herston in the Dorset Senior Cup.

Blues: Lillington, Bessant, Whyton, Carmichael, C Clarke, Halloran, Buckler, Godfrey (Bigg 85), Bearwish (Linaker 70), Beasley, L Clarke. Sub not used: Will