PORTLAND UNITED 12

Symes 4, Halloran, McKechnie 2, Morris, 3, Stewart, Hereka

AMESBURY TOWN 2

Minnitt, Young

PORTLAND United plundered a dozen goals against troubled Amesbury Town as the Blues recorded an incredible 12-2 victory in their Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division clash at the Weyline Stadium.

Amesbury, who are rebuilding their side with new manager Terry Plank, did manage to field a full 11 but their patched-up team were instantly exposed against a ruthless Portland.

Jamie Symes latched on to a pinpoint Ed Bastick through ball to score Portland’s first.

Dorchester duo Ben Morris and Josh Williams were involved in a fine team move for the second goal that saw James Cox cross from the byline and Ryan McKechnie set up Alex Halloran to finish.

Symes turned provider as McKechnie struck number three and the latter assisted Ben Morris as Portland hit a fourth.

Morris blazed a fifth goal from 30 yards prior to Amesbury getting on the scoresheet through Jake Minnitt.

However, Morris claimed his hat-trick when burying a chance from another flowing Portland move as the hosts went in 6-1 up at the break.

Portland controlled possession after half-time but wasted several good positions and they were punished when George Young’s 40-yard sizzler nestled in the top corner. Young’s goal awoke Portland and Symes tapped home for 7-2 after McKechnie saw a shot saved.

Symes bagged his own hat-trick, finishing off an intricate move involving substiutes Mo Hereka and Max Buckler before Sean Stewart slid in to convert a McKechnie cross from six yards for 9-2.

Portland reached a magic 10 after Buckler strode forward, beat two players and played in Hereka who rounded the Amesbury keeper to score.

Symes added his fourth, beating four players on a solo run before laying on a perfect delivery for McKechnie to nod his second and Portland’s twelfth.

Speaking to Echosport, Blues’ boss Brendon King sympathised with Town’s plight.

He said: “They’re going through a few problems at Amesbury to be fair to them. They’ve just changed the manager, lost a lot of players and full credit to them for turning up.

“They could’ve quite easily not bothered, taken the fine and points deduction but they turned up with 11 players. They’ve got a few suspensions, had players leave in the last few weeks and the new manager’s rocked up this week. They never gave up, so fair play to them for that.”

Portland host Bournemouth Poppies in league action on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Blues: Boore, Bastick (Godfrey 65), Bessant, Clarke, Cox, Stewart, Williams (M Buckler 75), Halloran (Hereka 70), McKechnie, Morris, Symes.

Match ball sponsor: Dave Norster

Mascot: Henry Rodd.

Attendance: 103