ED BASTICK stands by his decision that moving back to Portland United from Dorchester was the right move for him, despite admitting he loved being a Magpie.

Dorchester are Bastick’s local club and he paid huge tribute to the team that he left for Portland, after making the reverse journey between the two clubs last year.

Explaining how his move came about, Bastick said: “It is a tough one, I have spoken to the Portland lot, I massively enjoyed my time at Dorchester. They have been brilliant, they have been welcoming, I love all of the players and it has been outstanding but it is just one of those things.

“I have been promised more time up here. The conversation with Tommo (Steve Thompson, Dorchester Town manager) ended that I think it is better for me to play at Portland.

“I just like playing up here, when the opportunity came around I was umming and ahing. For me personally it is the right move and I stand with that. As I say I enjoyed my time at Dorch, I loved playing for my local team but I think for me it is the right time to come back here.”

Speaking after Portland’s 3-0 win against Bridport on Tuesday, Bastick said: “I am delighted, it is good to come back here and to score it always tops it off. I feel the first half was not great but in the second we played a lot better and it was just nice to grab a goal in the end so I am happy with it.

“I know all of the lads, I know all of the set-up, I know I enjoy my football up here. Speaking to Reggie and Brendon they have got good ideas for the season. I think for myself personally it is going to be the best move. I think it was a good performance and hopefully I keep scoring as well.”

Bastick scored on his return to Portland, scoring the first goal in the 3-0 win over Bridport in a second-half performance that saw the Blues dominate and score three goals.

Explaining the improvement in performance, Bastick said: “I think to be honest the pitch slickened up a bit in the second half, I think it got a little bit damper and it meant we could play our passing game a bit more, which suited us, so we started getting into better positions. We were playing a bit quicker, a bit shorter. Once we got the first goal I think we just started improving and getting better.”

The goal meant that Bastick scored at the Weyline Stadium for both the away side and home side at the Weyline Stadium, having scored in the Magpies’ 3-1 win the week before.

Bastick added: “I know, both in the same end!

“I love coming up here, even when I played for Dorchester. I scored last season against them (Portland, following his move to the Magpies).”