BROCKENHURST 4

PORTLAND UNITED 0

PORTLAND United’s six-game unbeaten run was abruptly halted as Brockenhurst steamed to a 4-0 win over their Wessex League Premier Division counterparts.

Perhaps still feeling the after-effects of former co-manager Sam Poole’s departure, Portland were 3-0 down at half-time away to the Badgers.

Kieran O’Donnell’s cross was converted by Mitch Speechley-Price in the eighth minute, before Liam Sayers and Greg Borthwick were denied by keeper Brad Snelling – dual-registered with Dorchester.

Ollie Dennett made it 2-0 thanks to the creativity of O’Donnell once more and Brock managed a third on 43 minutes when Alfie Prescott’s run and cross was tucked home by Speechley-Price.

READ MORE: Sam Poole in shock Portland United exit

Portland huffed and puffed in the second half but Brockenhurst possessed the greater edge, adding a fourth on 75 minutes when the Blues failed to cut out a bold O’Donnell run before the forward smashed home the goal his performance deserved.

Portland offered late resistance through a fizzing Troy Walbridge shot but the Blues were second best as their positive sequence of results came to an end.

Speaking to Portland media officer Josh Barton, manager Franklyn Clarke had no complaints about the outcome.

He said: “Brockenhurst deserved to win the game. Whether it was 4-0 or not, they were ruthless and clinical with the chances they had.

“They took their big moments and we never. The first 45 minutes was just very uncharacteristic, we just didn’t look like what we’ve looked like the last couple of months.

“These games happen. Second half we asked for a reaction and a bit of responsibility to be taken, a bit of pride to be shown.

“That’s exactly what happened, we were the better team in the second half. Two or three big moments and again we didn’t take them. The last six games we have been.

“In terms of how the day’s gone it’s not ideal but you can’t dwell on it. You process it, learn from the bits you didn’t like and forget about it.”

Blues: Edgar, Thomas, Stuttle (Diaz 90+2), Callow, Harvey, Williams, McKechnie, M Smith, Sayers, Borthwick (Walbridge 58), Morris (Lowes 77). Subs not used: B Smith, Wilson.