PORTLAND UNITED 1

S Roche 64

LYMINGTON TOWN 2

Cross 13, Finch 77

PORTLAND United were victims on the counter-attack as Mickey Finch capped a fine display to yield a second win over the Blues in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division with a 2-1 scoreline at the Weyline Stadium.

The result added to a 4-2 victory over Portland earlier this season and, while Lymington were clinical, Portland will feel aggrieved not to have taken a point after the impressive Sol Roche had cancelled out a 40-yard lob from Elliot Cross.

With the match proceeding on hail-laden turf, an even start was curtailed when Lymington created the first chance as Finch scooped over the bar from 20 yards after slipping on the treacherous surface.

On 12 minutes, Portland responded when a slick move saw Crit Clarke deliver a crisp low cross from the left which narrowly evaded the sliding Sol Roche.

However, less than 60 seconds later Lymington took the lead in extraordinary circumstances. Lewis Ross played a deft through ball to Jake King and, although Blues’ keeper Mike Edgar won the ball, his low clearance was intercepted by Elliot Cross 40 yards who controlled and chipped home a delightful finish.

Portland’s main route of attack was down the left and Clarke again pinged in a sweet cross that Bailey Rowe headed tamely at Linnets’ gloveman Henry Newman.

Sol Roche was proving a handful for Lymington and after briefly running through and colliding with Newman, regained the ball and passed for Rowe to hit a shot which looped agonisingly over off the heel of Tom Richardson.

Lymington again came close when makeshift right-back Ed Bastick fouled Fabio Manuel before Ryan Fuller’s long free-kick was flicked at Edgar by captain Tim Stephenson.

But Portland came close to scoring next as Jamie Symes’ deflected free-kick spun just wide of the near post with Newman motionless.

In the second half, Portland were driven on by Alex Halloran, who supplied Lewis Whyton for a wayward header before seeing a flying run and shot from 20 yards parried by Newman.

The Portland midfielder, playing at centre-back, then boomed a 25-yarder inches wide with Newman beaten.

However, Halloran fed Sol Roche after a superb run forward, expertly weighting his pass for the outstanding 16-year-old to round Newman and slot home.

Portland pressed for a winner and Symes saw a header blocked before Clarke nodded over from six yards.

But disaster struck when Finch collected a firm low clearance 55 yards out and ran unchallenged at goal before coolly curling past Edgar on 77 minutes.

The inspired Finch nearly netted twice thereafter, hitting the stanchion with a dipping 25-yard effort before fizzing a 30-yard free-kick that Edgar grasped at the second attempt.

Portland endeavoured to equalise but a deflected shot behind from sub Manny Roche was all the hosts could muster as a largely positive display ended in a third-straight defeat.

Speaking to Echosport, Blues’ boss Brendon King admitted he felt “sorry” for his patched-up side following another commendable display with a host of players performing out of position.

He said: “I feel a bit sorry for the lads, I don’t think we deserved to lose the game. We’re just not getting the rub of the green, the little bounces, things like that. It’s not falling for us.

“It’s been like that for a couple of weeks now. When things go against you, they go against you.

“I can’t fault the work rate and the commitment but that little bit of quality at times (was lacking).

“It can be a cruel game sometimes, but that’s football.”

On the magnificent Sol Roche’s performance, King added: “He was brilliant, a shining light at 16 years-old.

“I don’t think he did anything wrong, he got a goal which was well-taken and he deserved that for his performance. He was tremendous.”

The result leaves Portland in fourth with a game in hand over Horndean and Bournemouth Poppies in second and third respectively.

Blues: Edgar, Bastick, C Clarke, Halloran, Whyton, Symes, S Roche, M Buckler, Rowe (Hutchinson 60), Marshallsay (E Roche 60), Richardson (Wilson 83).

Match Sponsors: Dave Darby and Ron Jones

Match Ball Sponsors: Cafe Oasis - Paul Cocks.

Attendance: 75

Man of the Match: Sol Roche

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