PORTLAND UNITED 2

HAMBLE CLUB 1

RILEY Weedon scored a late winner for Portland United as the Blues defeated Hamble Club 2-1 in a dramatic finale to their Wessex League Premier Division clash.

At 1-1 heading into stoppage-time, Weedon converted a cross from manager and man of the match Franklyn Clarke to spark jubilation in the Blues’ ranks.

Portland merited the victory over the 90 minutes, having created countless chances – particularly in the second half.

Ben Morris brought a save from Hamble keeper Ash Downs after a fine solo run before Downs superbly denied Troy Walbridge in a one-on-one situation.

Blues’ debutant keeper Brad Smith kept the scores level with a good save before Portland made the breakthrough.

Seconds after Oli Lowes shot wide, the Portland midfielder was there again to force Downs into a parry which was tucked away by the predatory Walbridge.

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However, Portland’s lead would last just seven minutes as Kelvin Robinson converted Jamie Cassell’s pass for 1-1.

Portland continued to dominate in the second half and had three shots in a goalmouth scramble before Hamble cleared.

Smith was called upon to preserve parity with 15 minutes to go before sub Greg Borthwick failed to connect cleanly with Clarke’s excellent cross.

Hamble were clinging on with seven minutes remaining as sub Liam Sayers and Borthwick had shots saved before Sayers fired the third of three quickfire chances wide.

Sub Weedon skewed wide a glorious chance on 88 minutes and Sayers hit the post in the 90th as Portland were left to wonder if it would be their day.

That was until Clarke’s vision picked out Weedon at the back post, the midfielder sweeping home in the 91st minute to secure all three points for the hosts.

Speaking to Echosport, Clarke said: “We were the better team, we dominated. We created 15 chances I’d say to put the game to bed.

“We had to wait until the last minute so it feels even better. Just to get over the line and the character the lads showed was brilliant.

“I’ve said we need to learn how to win games that we’re drawing and we’ve learnt.

“All of the hard work, all the analysis, it pays off when you score in the last minute like that and you get over the line.

“It just shows the lads that what we’re doing is working, so we’ll keep sticking at it.”

Blues: B Smith, Thomas, Hutchinson, Poole, Griffiths, Lowes (Weedon 77), M Smith, F Clarke, Morris, Walbridge (Sayers 65), Burrows (Borthwick 65). Sub not used: McKechnie.

Attendance: 91

Match ball sponsor: Kath Sanderson

Programme sponsor: Cafe Oasis – Paul Cocks

Mascots: William Hamilton, Freddie Savory, Harry & Nathan Manton

Man of the match: Franklyn Clarke