Portland UNITED 3 BLANDFORD UNITED 1

LIAM Currell’s brace helped Portland United return to the Magna Dorset Premier League summit.

The Blues fell behind at Grove Corner to a strike from Albert Harwood but their new recruit soon equalised and then fired the home side in front before strike partner Adam Linaker sealed victory when he applied the finishing touch to a fine team move.

Saturday’s win, together with a 2-2 draw for Hamworthy Recreation at Swanage Town & Herston, means the islanders are back on top in the county’s top flight, two points clear of Rec.

But with all of their rivals holding games in hand, boss Stuart Heath insists there will be plenty of twists and turns.

He said: “Blandford gave us a really tough game and they had a good 10-minute period in each half where they put us under pressure and created chances.

“But on the balance of the whole game I felt we deserved to win. The players showed great character after going 1-0 down and they showed great patience in the second half by not forcing it and waiting for our chances.

“The points are more important than the performances at this stage of the season and it’s important we try and stay as consistent as possible in the last six weeks of the season.

“We played some decent stuff at times but at other times we were a bit tense, but that is understandable.

“However, all 14 players did a great job and it’s good to be top of the league. The aim though is to be top at the end of the season.

“There is still a long way to go and points will be won and dropped.”

Commenting further on the weekend win, Heath added: “We started the game pretty well and we had them on the back foot, but they got the opening goal after we didn’t defend well around our own box.

“But we showed great character, the players encouraged each other to give a bit more and we deservedly equalised through Liam Currell.

“They had us under a bit of pressure in the second half but we scored two and it made the last 20 minutes a bit more comfortable than it would have been had Blandford scored again.

“Our third goal was an outstanding goal and it came after 10 or so passes and a good cross from Ross Boatswain for Adam Linaker to finish.”

Portland’s title credentials will be severely put to the test this Saturday as they travel to fourth-placed Wincanton Town.

Blues: Bickerstaff, Cranny, Dailey, Perkins, Pattison, B Skelton (Boatswain 55), Reader (Toghill 65), Grimason, Litherland, Currell (Mutch 80), Linaker. Sub not used: Greatrex.

Attendance: 112