SHAFTESBURY COLTS 2

PORTESHAM UNITED 2

A BARE BONES Portesham United side were forced to battle hard to earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Shaftesbury in Dorset League Division Two thanks to some heroic goalkeeping from Phil Fusco.

The Possums started brightly and almost took an early lead when a Lee Scriven free-kick caught a nasty bobble and wrong-footed the Shaftesbury goalkeeper who could only look on

in horror as the ball bounced agonisingly over the

bar.

Colts did grow into the game and took the lead when a low corner was fired past Fusco by Courtney Jones.

With the game opening up and become end to end both goalkeepers were called into action, but nothing to could be done to prevent the Portesham equaliser when, following a corner, the loose ball fell to Andy Bell who from 20 yards rifled a crisp volley into the top corner.

The elation of the equalising goal was short lived though as failure to clear their lines from a Shaftesbury attack led to an easy goal for Shaftesbury’s top scorer Harvey Marsh.

However, the Possums started well and a string of fine saves from Fusco early on was the catalyst to get them going and they once again drew level when Brad Wilcock dropped a perfectly weighted ball over the Shaftesbury which Craig Mewton ran on to and under pressure produced the goal of the game to bring parity.

Shaftesbury then stepped up a gear and began attacking with gusto, but the defence held strong breaking down the attacks.

Pushing forward was leaving Shaftesbury open to the counter and tireless running from Mewton saw his side create chances of their own.

Shaftesbury began to lose discipline after another unbelievable Fusco save and a number of rash challenges and small scuffles led to a flurry of yellows.

Martin Roberts then had a penalty claim turned down before Portesham almost grabbed victory right at the end when Paddy Croxson spotted the goalkeeper off his line attempted a lob from 45 yards only to see his effort hit the crossbar and drop down on the goalline to the relief of the Colts’ goalkeeper.