PORTLAND UNITED 1
Rowe 90
HAMBLE CLUB 1
McKie 54
TEENAGE striker Bailey Rowe pounced late on as Portland United grabbed a 1-1 draw with high-flying Hamble Club at the Weyline Stadium.
The Blues were sixth in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division and Hamble second prior to kick-off, but the point sees both teams drop to fourth and sixth respectively.
Those positions are perhaps an unfair reflection on two teams who were evenly matched throughout the first half as defences dominated.
Of the few chances in the opening period, Hamble enjoyed the better of play as Portland’s Jamie Symes was forced into a sharp defensive header to deny Ryan Turner in the 25th minute.
Hamble then hit the side-netting as Turner was played in by John McKie, only for the officials to flag the forward offside.
In the second half, Portland went close with a header but conceded in the 54th minute after a soft free-kick given against Shaun Bessant.
McKie stepped up to curl home into the top corner, goalkeeper Steve Boore getting fingertips to his effort.
Portland forced a flying stop from Monks’ gloveman Luke Deacon before Blues’ sub Luke King was sent off three minutes after coming on for tripping an opponent off the ball.
Portland reacted positively to their numerical disadvantage and Rowe was allowed to cut inside onto his right foot and slam a stunning shot into the top corner in the 90th minute.
Sub Jamie Beasley then dallied when clean through in stoppage-time and went down, his claims for a penalty waved away.
Portland smashed a late shot against the bar before Hamble’s Jordan Ragguette clattered the upright himself and Ricky Bull was then denied by the post in a manic end to the game.
Speaking to Echosport, Portland assistant-boss Reggie Carter felt Hamble were the Blues’ toughest opponents this season.
He said: “It was a good point in the circumstances – a fair result. They’re a very good side, I was very impressed with Hamble.
“We beat them away and that was probably our best performance this season. They’re probably the best side we’ve faced this season.
“They’re very similar to ourselves. They had two good wingers, a striker, busy in midfield and we cancelled each other out – two good sides.”
Blues: Boore, Bastick, Clarke, Stewart, Bessant, Williams, Morris (L King 77), M Buckler (S Roche 55), Symes, Rowe, Cox (Beasley 50). Sub not used: Halloran.
Attendance: 128
Match ball sponsor: Peter Hoare snr
Match programme sponsor: BMWeymouth - Andy Avant
Man of the match: Ed Bastick
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