POOLE BOROUGH 2 Portland UTD 5

ALEX Halloran and Ross Doidge both hit doubles as Portland United booked their place in the last eight of the Magna Dorset Premier League Cup.

Sam Pattison and Doidge handed the Blues a two-goal advantage at the break, before Halloran chipped in with his brace to put the first round tie beyond reach.

Borough were not quite dead and buried as Matthew Grim-ason and Ross Mills halved the deficit.

However, Doidge was on hand to complete the scoring at Turlin Moor and set up a quarter-final date with West-land Sports, who overcame the challenge of Bridport Reserves.

Island chief Stuart Heath said: “Poole is a difficult place to go and the surface is tricky, but the players made sure that they went into the game with a good attitude and they started very well. The result was deserved and we’re pleased to get through to the next round.

“I was disappointed we gave away a couple of goals in the second half though. I felt the players were getting frustrated with some of the decisions that were going against them, they switched off as a result and we gave away a couple of goals.

“However, that’s not to take anything away from the performance, which was very good all-round. You have to grind out results in games like these and I was pleased to see the players show that side of their game.

“We’ve got Westland in the next round and it’s a tough side of the draw for us. But if we play like we have been then we go into every game with confidence.”

The Blues’ attentions now turn to Saturday’s crunch clash with reigning champions and current leaders Hamworthy Recreation.

Blues: Carroll, Cranny (Dailey 80), Wells, Carter, Whyton, Doidge, Toghill, Halloran, Litherland, Pattison (Gould 85), Linaker (Camp 75).

* Portland United are on the lookout for a qualified physio.

For further details on the joining the Magna Dorset Premier League high-fliers, contact club secretary Robin Satherley on 820389 or 07513953778.