Portland United 3-1 Hythe & Dibden: Blues reach FA Vase main draw

HYTHE & DIBDEN 1

GUTSY Portland United reached the FA Vase main draw with a 3-1 victory over Hythe & Dibden at the Camp & Satherley Stadium.

Franklyn Clarke and Sam Poole’s Blues, missing a host of players, have now ended a three-season wait to seal a first-round spot and did so by punishing Hythe’s defensive mistakes.

In a stonking cup tie notable for a blizzard of chances at either end, Hythe hit the post seconds before Portland took a seventh-minute lead.

Portland’s press blocked an attempted pass out of defence and the ricochet fell perfectly for Greg Borthwick, who ran through on goal and rolled a composed finish under Ellis Grant.

Greg Borthwick rolls home his first goal of the game (Image: BRIAN ROSSITER)

READ MORE: Portland United 3-2 Moneyfields - match report

Portland dominated as they pushed for a second but were guilty of missing several chances, beginning with Borthwick flicking a clever effort against the woodwork.

Marcus Smith was denied by Grant before Borthwick rippled the side-netting and Ben Morris crashed an effort inches wide, while Hythe worked home keeper Mike Edgar with a Cairo Burton free-kick before the break.

Portland received a big scare soon after half-time when Hythe’s Craig Feeney became the third player to hit the post.

However, in a symmetrical situation to the first half, Portland then scored after their opponents wobbled the woodwork – again through Borthwick.

Clarke chipped a free-kick to the back post where Morris put the Hythe defence under enough pressure to force an error, Borthwick reacting quickest to pounce on a dodgy backward header six yards out.

At 2-0, the scoreline reflected the game but Hythe still posed a big threat as Charlie Drury had a goal ruled out for offside, Feeney forced a solid save from Edgar and Burton just missed with a free-kick.

The Greens did eventually pull a goal back through a clinical Feeney finish and suddenly the Portland nerves were jangling as Drury headed over and Burton skewed a shot wide.

Hythe sub Harrison Fay then rattled the post as Portland’s goal led a charmed life.

However, the islanders got the impression it was to be their day when an 87th-minute Hythe goal was ruled out for an infringement on Edgar, who dropped the ball across the line under duress.

Edgar was needed for a big save seconds later but Portland made sure of the victory when the tireless Harvey Chard won possession back in the final third and helped tee up Liam Sayers for a tap-in on 91 minutes.

Liam Sayers made sure of the victory with Portland's third goal (Image: BRIAN ROSSITER)

And Portland’s huge effort to preserve their lead was rewarded when the Blues held out to advance into the main draw.

Speaking to Echosport, Clarke said: “It was really good, that makes it three wins on the bounce now. The lads are flying.

“That’s the first time we’ve won three games on the bounce since we’ve been at the club, we’re delighted with that.

“Obviously with it being the FA Vase it’s really pleasing but the most pleasing thing was the fact that other people stepped up.

“We didn’t have Sam, Ryan McKechnie, Brin (Doyle), Connor Callow, we were missing four or five lads who play a big part and start most weeks.

“To be missing massive characters and still beat a side like Hythe, who are having a right go this year, I’m really delighted for the lads.

“We’re in a good place at the moment, we’re coming into this one off the back of two league wins but we’ve scored ten goals now in three games.”

Blues: Edgar, Harvey, Diaz, Williams, Stuttle, M Smith, Morris, Wilson (Thomas 85), Borthwick (Sayers 65), Hewitt (Chard 81), F Clarke. Subs not used: B Smith, Lowes.

Match sponsors: Portland Old Boys

Match ball and programme sponsors: Pete & Val Hoare

Attendance: 115