PORTLAND UNITED RES 5

SHERBORNE TOWN RES 1

PORTLAND United Reserves put Sherborne Town Reserves to the sword with Sol Roche and Derek Wall having fantastic performances at the Weyline Stadium in the Dorset Premier League.

The Blues should have been in front as Wall did not make the most of a couple of good chances but the deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when Billy Mitchell’s drive from wide right outside the area arrowed in the top-left corner of the net.

Just a minute later it was 2-0 as Derek Wall scored his first of the game to leave the away side shell shocked.

Portland put the game beyond the visitors as 16-year-old Sol Roche, with his first goal for the club, beat the offside trap before firing a shot inside the post.

A minute before half-time Wall added his second of the game and Portland’s fourth as some neat skill saw him in behind the defence to beat the away keeper with an emphatic finish.

With the manager’s words ringing in their ears Sherborne came out with a point to prove and found a goal as Alan Hill’s weak header back to the keeper was cut out by a substitute before lobbing Portland goalkeeper Ross Jones for a consolation.

Portland rounded off the scoring with their fifth as Sol Roche found brother Emanuel in the area who was able to bring the ball down before beating the onrushing away keeper.

Portland United Reserves manager Justin Faulkner, said: “We were worthy winners, we have scored five but we have also had some other really good chances.

“In the second half I think we took our foot off the gas and they came out looking to prove a point.

“Their goal was slightly fortuitous but I did not at any time think they could get back into the game.

“We changed the shape of the team for this game, to get the two young strikers into the side and it has worked very well.

“They were a constant threat to the Sherborne back four all afternoon.”

Faulkner added: “In terms of our season this victory has come at the right time.

“We picked up two wins in our first four games but we have only picked up one draw in the last four games. They were all games against teams I think will be in and around the top six come May.

“No disrespect to Sherborne but this is the type of team we need to target points against.”

Faulkner’s men hosts Corfe Castle on Saturday (3pm).

Portland United Reserves: Jones, Mitchell, Hankin (Will 80), Curran, Hill, Anstey, S Zima, Boatswain (Tennant 67), Wall (Camp 75), S Roche, E Roche. Subs not used: R Zima, Butcher.

Ball sponsor: Kath and Dave Sanderson