SHOLING 3

PORTLAND UNITED 0

PORTLAND United boss Brendon King hailed his side for showing ‘glimpses of a little bit of form coming back’ during his side’s 3-0 loss at Sholing in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

Goals from Dan Miller, Brad Targett and Dan Mason saw league champions the Boatmen claim their 18th home league win of the season and the home side were ahead after five minutes.

A corner delivered by Jake Hoole found its way to Miller who nodded in to hand his side the lead.

Portland got into the game after but found clear threats on the Sholing goal hard to come by.

Sholing doubled their lead after 25 minutes when Owen Royl broke forward and delivered the ball into Targett in the box, who fired across Portland goalkeeper Michael Edgar and into the net.

Ryan McKechnie was proving a threat for Portland and forced the Boatmen’s goalkeeper Ryan Gosney into two good saves.

Jamie Beasley was also threatening as Portland were playing some good football but ended the half 2-0 down.

Sholing started the second half well and were twice denied by the post on the break – eventually adding their third after 55 minutes.

Mason broke through the centre and withstood a challenge to keep his balance and fire past Edgar.

McKechnie was brought down in the box by Gosney late on, but the penalty appeal was turned down.

Portland kept going and looked threatening during the half, but were unable grab a goal as it ended 3-0.

The loss leaves the Blues in fourth, two points ahead of Hamworthy United in fifth, with a game in hand over the Hammers.

King said: “We actually played a lot better than we have for the last couple of months and there were certainly some glimpses of a little bit of form coming back.

“We kept the ball better, our ball retention was better, our passing was better.

“The fact that we lost the match did not really matter that much, we are trying to get some performances together before the final (of the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup), that is what we asked the lads before the game.

“There was certainly a little bit of that which came out of the game for sure.”

Portland host Bashley on Saturday (3pm).

Sholing: Gosney, Cuthbertson, Royl, Castle, Miller, Bulpitt, Hoole, B Mason, D Mason, Wort (Nicholas 86), Targett. Subs not used: Brewster, Roundell, Norton, O’Donnell

Portland United: Edgar, Bastick, Whyton, S Buckler, Clarke, McKechnie, Halloran (Wilson 80), M Buckler, Doidge (E Roche 70), Beasley, S Roche (B Rowe 75)

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