PORTLAND UNITED 0

SHOLING 3

A SAM Buckler own goal and strikes from Alex Sawyer and Bradley Targett saw Portland United end their Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division season with a 3-0 defeat to runaway champions Sholing.

Sholing finished more than 30 points ahead of second-placed Horndean, while Portland had already secured fourth place prior to the game.

Portland started the match well and were causing the visitors problems in the first half, creating numerous chances.

Jamie Beasley blazed over the bar after a good ball in from Ryan McKechnie.

McKechnie and Jamie Symes also fired over for the Blues, while another chance from Richard Marshallsay also went begging.

In reply, Sholing fired an effort over the bar but they soon had their breakthrough.

Their first goal came when Sam Buckler was pushed in the box by a Sholing player, and while falling over he accidentally hit it into his own net.

In the second half Crit Clarke saw a header cleared off the line for the Blues, while a Symes penalty shout was not given.

However, Sholing soon wrapped up the game.

Sawyer doubled the Boatmen’s tally after 53 minutes.

After 69 minutes, the Boatmen were in the clear when Targett fired in their third.

Portland substitute Bailey Rowe also saw a goal-bound shot deflected wide, while Beasley had a shot that went over as it ended 3-0 to Sholing.

Portland boss Brendon King was pleased with what he saw from his side, saying that 3-0 flattered their visitors.

King told Echosport: “I was really pleased with a lot of the stuff we did (against Sholing), I think 3-0 flattered them.

“We have had a couple of scrappy wins where we have beaten Fareham and Bashley, where there were glimpses of bits that we did well. (Against Sholing it) was a bit better, I know it doesn’t sound great when we lose 3-0.

“In terms of the actual performance, there were a lot of encouraging signs, we played quite well at times. We actually looked quite compact.”

Portland end their season when they face Baffins Milton Rovers in the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup final on Monday, May 6 (3pm).

Portland United: Edgar, Bastick, Clarke (S Roche 70), Halloran (E Roche 70), Whyton, S Buckler, McKechnie, M Buckler, Symes, Marshallsay (Rowe 75), Beasley

Sholing: Gosney, Cuthbertson, Royal, Castle, Roundell, Bullitt, Sawyer, B Mason, D Mason, Hoole, Targett Subs: Miller, Carey, Terry, Mpaata, O’Donnell

Match Ball Sponsor: Roma Flew

Programme sponsor: Luke Mayo

Portland Man of the Match chosen by King went to Ed Bastick.

Attendance: 136

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830990

e: aidan.williams

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchosportAidan