PORTLAND UTD RES 3

STURMINSTER N UTD 1

PORTLAND United Reserves took all three points from their Dorset Premier League game with visitors Sturminster Newton to provide a perfect response from their 3-1 Dorset Senior Trophy loss to Sherborne Town Reserves last week.

Goals from Louis Hankin, Sean Zima and Aston Butcher sealed the morale-boosting victory for the Blues, that sees them up to seventh place in the league.

It was the visitors who could have gone ahead as they hit the post while the home side were looking for an offside flag to go up early on.

In retaliation, Zima saw his blockbuster drive well saved by the Sturminster goalkeeper before the visitors’ goal frame was rattled by Manny Roche when his drive hit the crossbar.

The deadlock was not broken until the 41st minute when Ross Jones found Louis Hankin whose low drive found the bottom corner with the aid of a deflection.

The Blues doubled their advantage when awarded a penalty after Hankin was fouled after another dangerous run forward, Sean Zima putting the resulting spot-kick away.

Portland wrapped the game up with 15 minutes to go as Zima’s free-kick in to the area was despatched into the net by Butcher for his first goal of the season.

Sturminster found a goal of their own as Portland failed to clear a ball in to the box which was converted in among a melee of players.

Portland manager Justin Faulkner said: “I asked for a response from the lads after last week, I think I got that.

“We were let off when they hit the post at 0-0 but we have scored three and think we could have had more but that is job done and the important thing is that we take the points, that`s what it`s about at the end of the day.”

Faulkner added: “Sturminster Newton were better than I expected them to be, they did not give us a moment’s peace and were very dangerous on the counter attack.

“If they can play like that for the rest of the season I am sure it won’t be too long before they are putting points on the board.

“As for our season, I think we are probably ahead of where we thought we would be, that does not mean we get to take it easy, quite the opposite because we need to work hard to maintain the standards we have seen this season and look to improve again.”

Portland host Holt United tomorrow (3pm).

Portland: Jones, Mitchell, Hankin, A Butcher, Hill (Hawke 75), Anstey, S Zima, E Roche, Wall, S Roche, Camp (Boatswain 70). Subs not used: T Butcher, R Zima.

Attendance: 46

Match Ball sponsor: Ray Collins

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