PORTLAND TOWN 2

HAMWORTHY REC RES 0

PORTLAND Town began their return to Division One of the Dorset League with a dogged win at home to Hamworthy Recreation Reserves.

The home side were missing two strikers in Jethro Tennant and Jordan Butler so it was Jon Cameron who ploughed a lone furrow up top for Town as they felt their way gently back into the season after some disastrous results when in this division before.

A positive start on the front foot though bought an early goal after five minutes.

Danny Clifford charged down a clearance and then made the most of hesitant goalkeeping as he prodded on for Colin Upfold to stab home.

Town straight away dropped off and allowed Rec the time to play but Quinault was barely troubled in the Portland goal.

It became a scrappy affair with the ball pinging around at both ends for the most part, as both teams offered space to play in.

In the end, Town were the happier coming in a goal to the good as last season’s 50-goal striker Matt Riggs was well marshalled by George Higgins.

The second half saw a bit of a reshuffle as Town’s legs lagged and the home side pressed from the start of the half.

Upfold was a menace on the right with his pace while Alex Crawley linked up well with him in his new role at right-back.

Hamworthy were not without their moments though, Quinault snuffing out a couple of attacks while Kev Paice was a figure of dominance as he rebuffed a series of long-ball attacks.

It was football that won the day however, Upfold intercepting and sending Tom Norman clear.

When the industrious midfielder’s cross was sent over, Clifford was on hand to head home on the hour. It could and should have been more but some rusty finishing meant the hosts saw the game out with only a minor scare late on when a header hit a post.

Portland: Quinault, Crawley, Pettitt, Higgins, Paice, Norman, Maguire, Clifford, Cameron, Upfold, Martin. Subs used: Bindea, Dolan

Man of the match: Alex Crawley