BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY 2

PORTLAND UNITED 1

PORTLAND United were beaten 2-1 at Blackfield & Langley as a contentious penalty proved decisive in their Wessex League Premier Division clash at Gang Warily Stadium.

Portland were level at 1-1 midway through the second half when a spot-kick was awarded for handball against midfielder Josh Williams.

However, the Blues were adamant that not only was the incident outside the area but that Williams had not handled.

It allowed Owen Fee to step up and beat keeper Mike Edgar to seal victory for the Watersiders.

READ MORE: Moneyfields 2-2 Portland United - match report

Portland have turned in impressive performances at Poole and Moneyfields in recent weeks.

And the Blues carried that momentum through into a bright opening 28 minutes, as Greg Borthwick backheeled straight at keeper Amadeusz Skrzniarz.

But the islanders went 1-0 behind against the run of play when Harvey-Joe Bertrand netted.

Blackfield enjoyed the better of play for the remainder of the half but could not add to their tally.

Portland switched to a 4-2-4 formation in the second half and turned the tide with wave after wave of attacks.

Portland stand-in captain Ben Morris levelled matters in the 57th minute and the Blues continued to look the likelier to score until the penalty blow.

Pushing for an equaliser in the closing stages, Morris had a shot headed off the line after a sharp swivel shot and Harry Thomas blasted over from close range.

Franklyn Clarke’s men had numerous free-kicks and corners late on and sent Edgar up for the last two set-pieces in the dying moments, only for the Blues’ efforts to be vain.

Speaking to Echosport, a bitterly disappointed Clarke said: “It was that penalty decision that ultimately defined the result. We feel hard done by.

“The momentum was with us, I felt like we were going to go on and get the second.

“It was a sudden decision. The ball’s bounced out on the edge of the box, their player’s had a shot and Josh has run out to block it outside the box.

“The referee’s given it for handball. Our player’s adamant it wasn’t handball and their management team seemed to think it wasn’t handball.

“I didn’t even think it was inside the box. We feel very disappointed with the way we lost that game.

“We’re disappointed not to come away with all three points. To come away with nothing is hard to take.”

Portland are 17th in the standings, one point behind Cowes Sports in 16th.

Blues: Edgar, Thomas, Hutchinson, Stuttle, Poole, Williams, Lowes, M Smith (Wilson 75), Borthwick (Weedon 70), Hewitt (Walbridge 60), Morris. Subs not used: F Clarke, B Smith.