BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES 4

PORTLAND UNITED 1

PORTLAND United suffered a second defeat at Bournemouth Poppies this season as the hosts claimed a 4-1 win at Victoria Park.

Since beating Alresford 4-2 in the Wessex League Premier Division, the Blues have conceded four goals in each of their next three games.

That run includes losses to Romsey Town, Baffins Milton Rovers and now Poppies.

Just as at Rovers, an early goal put Portland on the back foot as Poppies needed just eight minutes to open the scoring.

Portland had numerous chances to clear their lines but the ball eventually fell to Lewis Chambers who made no mistake from close range.

Joel Hewitt and Ben Morris went close for Portland but Poppies doubled their lead in the 22nd minute with a controversial strike.

The Blues were adamant the ball had travelled beyond the byline mid-cross but Poppies continued and squared for Emmanuel Ohameje to score.

READ MORE: Baffins Milton Rovers 4-0 Portland United - match report

Controversy aside, Portland were creating plenty of chances as Sam Poole headed over before Marcus Smith smashed an effort against the bar in the depths of first-half stoppage-time.

With the fixture bearing huge resemblance to Portland’s FA Cup defeat at Poppies last month, Portland maintained their level in the second period as Morris and Hewitt both scuffed good chances.

Ryan McKechnie grabbed a deserved goal for the Blues on 59 minutes but just four minutes after he netted, Tyrone Carkeet’s 20-yard strike doubled Poppies’ advantage again.

Portland chased the game in the closing stages, putting four men up top.

However, Poppies exploited the extra space in behind as Lee Haensel scored a 98th-minute goal on the counter.

“Creating the chances is not the issue at the minute,” Blues’ boss Franklyn Clarke told Echosport.

“If I’m honest, I just feel we’re not getting the rub of the green. Everything’s going against us, but that’s football.

“I said to the lads that we can’t be hard on ourselves. We’ve played three of the top teams and only played seven games. In that seven we’ve played Shaftesbury, Hamworthy and Baffins.

“They’re going to be right up there at the end of the season and we’re not going to be expected to win those games.

“Yes, we want to but we have to be realistic on where we’re at. We’re disappointed but it’ll soon turn.”

Portland, now in 16th, switch attentions to an FA Vase first qualifying round at AFC Stoneham on Saturday (3pm).

Blues: Edgar, Lowes, Hutchinson (Diaz 87), F Clarke, Poole, Smith, Williams, Tennant (Scott 82), Hewitt, McKechnie, Morris (Knott 78). Sub not used: Dove.