PORTLAND UNITED 2

Morris 60, Bastick 80

HAMWORTHY UNITED 3

Hodge, 25, 30, Davis 26

PORTLAND United regretted a poor five-minute first-half spell as Hamworthy United claimed a 3-2 win from their Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division clash at a murky Weyline Stadium.

The Hammers, managed by former Weymouth striker Tim Sills, watched on as Portland made the better start.

Sol Roche, unsighted through a mass of bodies in the area, had a short reaction time to steer a cross just wide of goal before Bailey Rowe had a header tipped over by Hammers’ keeper Ollie King.

Jamie Beasley then spurned a one-on-one chance, saved by King for a corner.

More impressive rearguard action from Hamworthy saw the visitors clear the set-piece, creating a counter-attack from which Eddie Hodge slotted home from 18 yards for 1-0 in the 25th minute.

Less than a minute later, Portland failed to track Olly Davis’ late run into the box and the forward buried his finish past the prostrate Steve Boore.

Hamworthy compiled more misery on the Blues as a lay-off presented Hodge with his second chance, striking home from 12 yards for 3-0.

A stern half-time team-talk from boss Brendon King awoke Portland and in-form winger Ben Morris conjured a stunning goal from 25 yards on the hour.

Morris then turned provider with 10 minutes left, Ed Bastick heading home his corner.

Portland piled forward in search of a leveller as Ryan McKechnie missed from 12 yards before firing over a second late chance.

Hamworthy’s Tom Cooper received a second yellow in the 90th minute but Portland were unable to capitalise.

Speaking to Echosport, boss King said: “Unfortunately it didn’t happen for us. A five-minute spell has ultimately cost us.

“We had missed chances from our end as well and ill discipline in our play – we were a little bit lazy, we let runners run off us and conceded three goals that we should have dealt with.

“Give us a little bit of credit, we said a few things at half-time and nearly got back into it and came away with something.

“You can’t give sides three goals head start, simple as that. We came back into it and put them under an awful amount of pressure, but it didn’t happen for us.

“On reflection I think we deserved point but we’ve got to dust ourselves down and prepare for next week.”

Blues: Boore, Bastick, Cox, Stewart (Halloran 70), Bessant, S Roche, Morris, Williams (McKechnie 40), Symes, Rowe (Godfrey 78), Beasley. Sub not used: E Roche.

Match sponsor: Tony Pidgley

Match ball sponsor: KW Motors

Programme sponsor: Macca’s Tiling

Attendance: 140