PORTLAND UNITED 4

BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY 1

PORTLAND United scored and hit the woodwork four times apiece, also having a penalty saved, in a chaotic 4-1 victory over Blackfield & Langley.

Portland’s 151-strong crowd at the Camp & Satherley Stadium were treated to a fine attacking display from the islanders, who arguably should have been out of sight by half-time.

Away keeper Jordi Valero was extremely busy all night and made saves from co-manager Franklyn Clarke and Josh Williams before the hosts opened the scoring.

Valero’s save from Williams yielded a corner and Clarke hustled the delivery into the box when Ben Morris was waiting to head home for 1-0 in the eighth minute.

READ MORE: Portland United 2-2 Fareham Town - match report

Marcus Smith blasted inches wide but Blackfield had a great chance to respond only for Cain Prentice to fluff his lines.

Portland continued the assault when Valero saved George Stuttle’s header, before the shot-stopper denied Clarke and breathed a sigh of relief as Morris rifled off target.

Coming forward with huge threat, Portland constructed wave after wave of attacks as Valero repelled Liam Sayers before Portland wobbled the bar three times in seven minutes.

Clarke clattered the woodwork from distance, Valero pushed a Ryan McKechnie header onto the frame and Morris thumped a volley against the upright.

For all their dominance, Portland needed a second goal and it duly arrived seconds before half-time as Sayers swept home his sixth goal in six games after Valero parried from Smith.

Bue Bennett pulled a goal back for Blackfield on 53 minutes to breathe life into a one-sided contest but the chances kept coming for Portland as McKechnie and Stuttle missed the target.

The visitors kept Portland at bay until conceding what they felt was a soft penalty ten minutes from time, only for the magnificent Valero to push Clarke’s spot-kick away.

However, less than 60 seconds later sub Troy Walbridge drilled an effort into the top corner from 20 yards to put the game to bed.

There was still time for Williams to shake the post and then bury a fourth into the bottom corner deep into added time as Portland went six games unbeaten.

It is Portland’s best run of form since the 2019/20 season when the Blues went seven games unbeaten under boss Brendon King.

Speaking to Echosport, Clarke said: “It was a good victory, we should’ve been out of sight at half-time – that’s the most dominant we’ve ever been.

“We went in at 2-0 up and we were a bit disappointed. The game finishes 4-1 in the end and it just shows how far we’ve come, the fact that we’re disappointed with a 4-1 win.

“It could’ve been more but their goalkeeper was inspired. Credit to the lads, I can’t compliment them enough at the moment.”

He added: “We’ve hit the woodwork four times and the keeper’s made five fantastic saves, he was brilliant.

“Every time we go forward now there’s that belief that we’re going to get chances and put them away.

“I just want to carry on now. That’s four wins in six and two draws. Can we just keep it going?”

Portland, now up to 13th, visit Brockenhurst as they continue their Wessex League Premier Division campaign on Saturday (3pm).

Blues: Edgar, Thomas, Stuttle (Harvey 71), Poole, Callow, Williams, F Clarke, McKechnie (Walbridge 76), Sayers (Borthwick 63), M Smith, Morris.

Match ball sponsor: Hilary Billimore

Match programme sponsor: Graham Luke

Attendance: 151