PORTLAND United boss Franklyn Clarke felt a sluggish first half contributed to a 3-0 home defeat to AFC Stoneham in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

An improved second-half display could not save his side as the Purples’ Sam Woodward ended with a brace, backed up with Nathan Clements’ strike.

Speaking to Echosport, he said: “First half we didn’t create much and struggled to get into it, we weren’t ourselves.

“Second half we got on the football more, had more possession and started to look a bit more dangerous going forward.

“We just lacked that cutting edge, that bit of creativity.”

Clarke’s inexperienced islanders had gone 10 days without a fixture after last week’s postponement at Horndean.

And an initial rustiness was evident as the Purples, nine of whose squad helped earn a second-placed finish last season, took a 2-0 lead.

Portland’s best chance came when Ben Morris got to the byline and crossed for Greg Borthwick, only for a defender to block his eyeline and put him off the chance.

Portland were far tidier in the second half, enjoying more possession, but Stoneham boosted their lead with another goal.

The result, which still leaves Portland in 19th and three points off Brockenhurst in 14th, was the first time in Clarke’s five-game tenure where the Blues have failed to score.

Portland are due to return after the second lockdown away to Shaftesbury on Saturday, December 5 (3pm).

Blues: Boore, Toland, Hutchinson, Hankin, McKechnie, Williams, Fowles, Smith, Borthwick, Lowes, Morris. Subs: Lucas, Clarke, Hanratty, Coombs.

Attendance: 138

Match ball sponsor: Charlie and Anne Bilke.

Programme sponsor: Chesil Edge Cleaning Services