HAMBLE CLUB 2
PORTLAND UNITED 2

PORTLAND United battled back from 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw at Hamble Club in their Wessex League Premier Division contest.

In taking a point, Portland are off the mark in the league following a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth Poppies on the opening day.

The Blues would have feared the worst after 26 minutes when the Monks went two goals to the good.

Hamble’s strikers proved a threat all half with their pace and ability to race onto long balls causing Portland’s defence big problems.

READ MORE: Portland United 0-2 Lymington Town - match report

Hamble scored with their first serious attack through Jake Bartlett on three minutes and hit the woodwork soon afterwards.

Portland had only mustered two off-target shots from Ben Morris before Hamble doubled their lead through Brandon Douglas.

However, just 12 minutes later Portland were back in it with two quickfire goals after making a tactical switch to push Ryan McKechnie further up the pitch.

Their first came in the 36th minute as Harry Thomas reacted quickest to skipper McKechnie hitting the post, guiding home the rebound past Monks’ keeper Henry Newman.

With Portland’s next attack, the Blues were level as Morris found McKechnie in the area, allowing the midfielder to turn and fire past Newman for 2-2.

Amid the heat, water breaks were needed in both halves but both teams understandably tired in the second period.

McKechnie and sub Joel Hewitt both had chances but could not convert as the sides had to settle for a point.

Speaking to Echosport, co-manager Sam Poole felt the Blues could have gone on to win the game after their poor start.

He said: “No away game in this league’s easy. Overall, we’re pleased with a point. 

“Disappointed that we didn’t go and win the game but we were 2-0 down fairly early on and showed good character to come from behind and rescue a point.

“Something we’re disappointed in is that we didn’t get settled in our defensive shape quickly enough and there were big gaps between defenders, midfielders and strikers.

“We weren’t as a unit and got caught on the back foot. We made a couple of minor tweaks, we pushed Macca up and pressed them higher.

“We stopped their threat which was a ball over the top. Once we stopped that we had control of the game and deservedly got a point but we could’ve had all three.”

Elsewhere, Portland United Reserves were involved on the wrong side of a 6-5 thriller at Sturminster Newton on the opening day of the Jewson Dorset Premier League season.

Blues: B Smith, Toland (Hewitt 67), Stuttle, Harvey, Poole, Williams, Thomas, McKechnie (Diaz 87), Sayers (Walbridge 63), M Smith (Borthwick 74), Morris. Sub not used: F Clarke.

Attendance: 61