PORTLAND UNITED 1

Halloran

AFC PORTCHESTER 0

PORTLAND United manager Brendon King admitted the Blues “won ugly again” after beating AFC Portchester 1-0 in their 10-man apiece Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division tussle at the Weyline Stadium.

A solitary second-half goal from Alex Halloran sealed the points for King’s men, who have now triumphed 1-0 in both home games this season.

After the opening 20 minutes, Portland began to strangle the Tangerines’ attacking force and might have gone in at the break with a goal should the Blues have finished off one of two dangerous balls into the box.

But United finally got the breakthrough after the interval through a well-worked free-kick.

Jamie Beasley and Lewis Whyton went up jointly to win the first header, with debutant Stephen Walker nodding a second header to Halloran to finish from six yards out.

Blues’ substitute Aston Butcher was sent off for a last-man offence 20 yards from goal, before Portchester also went a man down following a two-footed lunge over the ball on Richard Marshallsay.

Speaking to Echosport following the contest, King felt Portland had “ground it out” for victory.

He said: “It was a good win, we won ugly again, if I’m honest. I’ll take that all day long than losing 2-0 and playing really well.

“There wasn’t a lot between both sides in terms of chances created.

“We probably created a little bit more than them once we got our system sorted.

“It took us 20 minutes to get into the game, we nullified their threats, however we went in (to half-time) 0-0.

“We spoke about certain things, went out second-half and implemented them well.

“That was pleasing, everyone took things on board and we got a good goal. It gives you something to fight for.”

King added: “Again, they didn’t create many clear chances.

“Stephen had to come off injured so Aston had to come on and he got sent off within five minutes.

“A ball over the top, he’s got caught and he’s fouled their lad – a straight red, which you couldn’t argue with whatsoever.

“In fact, it was a good foul from Aston, he took one for the team because the lad was through on goal.

“All of a sudden you’ve got your back against the wall, they had a bit more ball.

“But then they had a red card for a two-footed challenge on Richie – not very nice.

“We ground it out and it was two pleasing debuts for Crit Clarke and Stephen.”

Blues: Tewkesbury, Bessant, C Clarke, Halloran (Smith 75), Walker, S Clarke (Butcher 70), Marshallsay, M Buckler, Whyton, Doidge, Beasley. Subs not used: Hill, Lillington

Attendance: 134

Man of the match: Ross Doidge

Programme sponsor: BMW Weymouth – Andy Avant

Match ball sponsor: Dave Norster

Mascots: Jay and Kai Moran