PORTLAND UNITED 0

BITTON 2

Bament 80, 90

PORTLAND United were dumped out of the FA Cup at the preliminary stage as Bitton took a 2-0 victory away from the Weyline Stadium in a clash that saw both teams end with nine men.

Ben Bament scored both Bitton goals in smash-and-grab style as Portland completely dominated their opponents, hitting the woodwork on numerous occasions.

Before he was sent off, away goalkeeper Dan Worton also made outstanding saves from Jamie Symes, Lewis Whyton and Ed Bastick, while the Ton had to clear several shots off the line as the Blues bombarded the Bitton defence to no avail.

Portland’s Sam Buckler was the first player to see red after a scrum stemming from lifting a floored Bitton player off the ground, while Worton got his marching orders for allegedly punching Jamie Beasley.

Blues’ defender Lewis Whyton and Kane Ingram were then shown red cards when attempting to break up a melee on the far touchline.

Speaking to Echosport, Portland manager Brendon King felt the loss was overwhelmingly “one-sided” towards the Blues.

He said: “It’s probably one of the most one-sided games you’ll ever be involved with and lose.

“It’s so disappointing, so frustrating for the lads who’ve worked really hard. By a country mile we were the better side.

“But if you don’t take your chances you don’t win games, and that’s what’s happened.”

He added: “We should’ve been a couple up at half-time and second half we played really well, created so many chances. Their keeper’s been making save after save, we’ve hit the bar twice, the post and we’ve had four or five off the line.

“Then they hit us on the break with 10 minutes to go and scored in the last second.

“We look at the bigger picture and we played really well. If we were there until midnight we wouldn’t have scored, it was one of those days.”

Despite the loss, King was keen to harness the positives.

He said: “The score doesn’t tell the tale but sometimes in football you don’t get what you deserve. We’ll take the positives and think ‘we’ve been really good’. That’s something to build on.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow and I feel really bad for the boys because they were fantastic apart from putting it in the onion bag and unfortunately that’s the business end of the pitch.”

Portland: Tewkesbury, Doidge (Smith 80), Bessant, S Buckler, C Clarke, Bastick (McKechnie 65), Beasley, Halloran, Marshallsay (Godfrey 65), Symes, Whyton. Sub not used: Lillington

Match Sponsor: Robin Satherley; Match Ball Sponsors: Lance & Ali Sapsford; Match Programme Sponsor: WFC Cafe - Matt Avant; Mascot: Josh Woods

Attendance: 265

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