PORTLAND UNITED 4

ALTON 2

PORTLAND United claimed their fourth Wessex League Premier Division victory of the season with an entertaining 4-2 success over Alton.

With numerous chances falling the Blues’ way, Alton could perhaps consider themselves fortunate the scoreline did not exceed four goals.

Portland produced a blistering first half, paving the way for a 3-1 lead at half-time.

However, the islanders were first to concede in a manic period of three goals in four minutes.

George Bowerman got the Alton goal on 20 minutes but his effort seemed to provoke Portland into a fierce retaliation.

Fewer than two minutes had elapsed before Portland were back on level terms, assistant-manager Sam Poole seeing a bullet header saved and Ben Morris poking home the rebound.

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Franklyn Clarke’s Blues turned the game on its head in the 24th minute when Oli Lowes raced clear and lashed into the far bottom corner for 2-1.

Dorset Echo: Oli Lowes, right, scored a superb second Picture: IAN MIDDLEBROOKOli Lowes, right, scored a superb second Picture: IAN MIDDLEBROOK

Josh Williams went one better seven minutes before the break, sending a rocket flying into the net to establish a two-goal lead.

Matters worsened for Alton after half-time as Ryan McKechnie continued his rich goalscoring form this season, heading powerfully home in the 53rd minute.

Alton's Dylan Riley missed a penalty before Steve Black pulled one back, but Portland were always in control and nearly had a fifth when Riley Weedon’s clever chip clattered off the bar.

Dorset Echo: Josh Williams scored a wonderful third goal for Portland Picture: IAN MIDDLEBROOKJosh Williams scored a wonderful third goal for Portland Picture: IAN MIDDLEBROOK

In the end, Portland closed out the win, elevating them into 14th in the table.

Clarke told Echosport: “This is the best performance the lads have put in since I joined the club.

“We’ve been building up to this, we’ve seen this coming. It’s nice for them that they got to show what they can do.

“It’s that feeling of winning games. Afterwards in the changing room there are good vibes and it starts to become a habit. I’m dead pleased.

“First half we were dominant. I want to play nice, attractive, attacking football. You need to the personnel to do that.

“Now we have that and the football we played was the best since I came and there’s competition for places.

“The boys on the pitch know that and the boys on the side know that when they come on they have to take their chance. It’s really positive at the minute.”

Portland host Christchurch on Saturday (3pm).

Blues: Edgar, Thomas, Hutchinson, Poole, Griffiths, Williams, Smith, McKechnie, Morris (Kelly 84), Lowes (Burrows 70), Hewitt (Weedon 72). Sub not used: F Clarke.

Attendance: 126

Match sponsor: Weymouth Precision Engineering

Match ball and man of the match sponsor: Jim Hinde

Programme sponsor: The Browne family

Mascot: Ethan Scard