MONEYFIELDS 0

PORTLAND UNITED 1

MANAGERLESS Portland United collected their first away win of the campaign with a memorable 1-0 success over Moneyfields at Westleigh Park.

Portland had not won away from home in seven attempts in this season’s Wessex League Premier Division.

That was until George Stuttle strode forward from centre-back and unleashed a 30-yard piledriver into the top corner to give Portland all three points.

Victory over top-five side Moneyfields was the perfect response to Tuesday’s 5-2 defeat by Bemerton and Portland’s first since ex-boss Franklyn Clarke decided to leave the club.

READ MORE: Portland United near end of interview process for new boss

It also gave interim boss Mark Carter the perfect start to what is expected to be a short time in charge with an appointment expected late next week.

Moneyfields pressured the Blues early on as Ryan Pennery had a shot blocked but Portland began to come back into it with an effort from Brin Doyle.

Eric-Georges Dellaud was denied by Mike Edgar at the other end and Declan Seiden put the rebound wide as the Moneys threatened a breakthrough soon after.

Pennery and Seiden each went close again before half-time, Edgar making a stunning save from the former to preserve parity.

Portland returned from the break at a high tempo as shouts for a handball were waved away before Edgar kept out Pennery again.

Pennery aimed a free-kick wide and Edgar was required to make a big save again, this time from Josh Bailey, in a see-saw second 45.

On 69 minutes, though, Portland scored what proved to be a worthy winner.

Stuttle picked the ball up in defence, strolled forward and then let fly with a venomous strike that had Moneys’ keeper Dylan Kramer backpeddling and unable to prevent his effort rippling the top corner.

Faced with 20 minutes to defend their lead, luck smiled on Portland as Bailey blazed over a big opportunity in the box.

But no further chances came for the hosts as Portland moved up to 15th with victory.

Speaking to Echosport, Carter said: “It’s a fantastic result. First and foremost a clean sheet away from home, anybody would take that.

“We set up our plan beforehand. I spoke to the Horndean manager (Mike Birmingham) as we’re good mates and he gave me a bit of a run-down on their side, formations.

“We had a gameplan but credit to the lads, they were superb.

“We rode our luck a couple of times, they did have a couple of good chances and Mike pulled off a fantastic save in the first half. They had a glaring miss in the second.

“But we had some very good half-chances as well. Even though we were under the cosh for a bit, we defended well and limited them.

“Man-to-man and with the subs that came on, everyone did their jobs.”

Picking up on Stuttle, making his return after lengthy lay-off with an ankle injury, Carter said: “That goal was worthy of winning any game.

“He strides out of defence, keeps going forward and it was 30, 35 yards, a rocket into the top corner. Absolutely outstanding.”

Portland host Brockenhurst on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Blues: Edgar, Harvey, Diaz, Stuttle (Lowes 90), Callow, Cleaver (M Smith 59), Morris, Williams, Sayers (Walbridge 86), McKechnie, Doyle. Subs not used: Greenwood-Neate, Scott.