PORTLAND UNITED 2
TADLEY CALLEVA 0

PORTLAND United ended a run of four Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division games without a win by beating Tadley Calleva 2-0 at the Weyline Stadium.

In truth, the Blues left it late to seal victory as Brendon King’s men waited for the final 10 minutes to make their breakthrough – Jamie Symes and substitute Manny Roche scoring.

Portland started brightly and worked a headed chance for James Cox, who could not control the height of his effort as it sailed over.

Josh Williams and Ben Morris then combined to set up striker Bailey Rowe who shot tamely at Tadley’s ex-Weymouth youth keeper Jack Martin.

Luke King saw a header cleared off the line from a pinpoint Morris corner as Portland dominated. 

Tadley responded with a shot that whistled over goalkeeper Steve Boore’s bar and the Hampshire side spurned another half chance as the visitors halted the Blues’ flow.

Before half-time, Martin was on top form to deny Rowe, who flicked an effort at goal following Ed Bastick’s rifled 60-yard pass.

Morris and Williams each blasted over Martin’s uprights in the second half before Symes broke the deadlock with 10 minutes remaining.

Cox was the creative spark, drilling in a speedy free-kick for Symes who jumped up and nodded through the grasp of Martin for 1-0.

Left-back Cox claimed another assist as normal time ebbed away, the defender controlling Bastick’s pass before whipping in a devilish delivery for Roche to nudge a composed six-yard finish past Martin.

Speaking to Echosport, Portland boss Brendon King was pleased by all aspects of his squad’s display.

He said: “I’m really pleased with the performance, commitment and attitude. The boys gave us everything and it was thoroughly deserved as well.

“We missed some chances and I thought ‘sometimes when you miss chances they come back and bite you’ but we defended well when we had to.

“We created some really good chances and that’s the only thing I’m a little bit disappointed with – we should’ve been a little more clinical.

“They stuck to the task, did exactly what we asked of them and it was a nice feeling afterwards.”

Portland visit Lymington Town in league action on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Blues: Boore, L King, Symes, Bessant, Bastick, Cox (Hutchinson 85), Godfrey, Williams, Morris (E Roche 80), S Roche, Rowe (Hereka 75).

Match ball sponsors: Josie and Paul Butcher

Attendance: 121