PORTLAND UNITED 2

Symes 45, 90

TEAM SOLENT

Koroma 19

JAMIE Symes scored a late penalty to complete a brace and a 2-1 comeback win for Portland United over Team Solent in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

Samuel Koroma had fired Solent into an early lead after 19 minutes, but Symes struck twice to complete the victory for Portland which lifts them up to second in the table.

Portland came out of the blocks slowly and had an early setback when Koroma struck after a defensive mix-up between the Blues’ defence and goalkeeper Sean Lillington after 19 minutes.

However, Portland came back into the match and hit the bar as they threatened an equaliser.

The Blues were able to craft a leveller late on through Symes’ first strike at the end of the half.

Portland were rewarded for their endeavour through Symes, who latched on to a bouncing ball in the Solent box before controlling and managing to fire in a scrappy effort.

The second half failed to ever really catch light as both sides struggle to create clear-cut chances.

Symes missed another effort from a good cross in from the right-hand side, which he chested it down to go one-on-one with the Solent goalkeeper but dragged the ball wide.

The Blues struggled to retain possession which impacted on their ability to make good chances for themselves.

Darren Watts then engineered the late twist in the last minute of the half when he got forward into the box and was taken down to earn the Blues a penalty.

Symes nervelessly stepped up to tuck the ball away and secure all three points for the Blues.

Following the penalty, the Blues then brought on Aston Butcher in place of Watts to tighten up the defence and hold on to the win.

The game ended soon after, with the Blues taking all three points.

Portland coach Stuart Heath said: “It was hard-fought, we certainly were not at our best, but one thing that the performance did show is that we have got great character.

“We did not start the game very well and another individual error contributed to us going behind.

“But for the rest of the half I think we played some good stuff and deservedly went in level.

“The second half never really got going. It was a scrappy affair.”

“We have got ourselves into a good position in the league, the last thing we want to do is drop points where it is easily avoidable.”

Portland travel to Shaftesbury on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Portland: Lillington, Doidge, Clarke (Halloran 65), S Buckler, Whyton, Stewart, M Buckler, Watts (Butcher 90), Symes, McKechnie, Godfrey (Marshallsay 70).

Attendance: 115

Match Sponsor: Grant Leighton

Match Ball Sponsor: Ralph Menzies

Programme Sponsor: Regency Dental Practice, Swanage

Mascot: Spencer Bourton

Man of Match chosen by Grant Leighton: Jamie Symes

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