ANDOVER TOWN 1

PORTLAND UNITED 2

GARY Bailey described his side’s gutsy 2-1 victory at Andover Town on Saturday “a magnificent effort” after they were left a man light for two thirds of the game.

Jamie Beasley was sent off around 30 minutes into the contest at the Portway Stadium, meaning the Blues had to battle on for the remaining hour of the game with just 10 players.

Goals from Ryan McKechnie and Tom Richardson earned the island outfit a huge win heading into Christmas.

With a full quota at the time, Portland went 1-0 up having taken the lead on 13 minutes.

Having weathered an early storm from Andover, a driving run through the midfield from McKechnie saw him take on a couple of defenders on the edge of the box and nip in to slot home the opener.

Then came the game’s big talking point at Beasley was given his marching orders. A challenge on the touchline went out for a throw and, in the aftermath, Beasley was adjudged to have reacted and was sent off.

Things then got worse for the Blues as, soon after the dismissal, they conceded a penalty. McKechnie felt his challenge inside the area was a clean one, but the referee had other ideas and pointed to the penalty spot.

The Blues got themselves out of trouble however, as the spot-kick was struck down the middle and Portland keeper Sean Lillington saved the effort with his legs.

But on 62 minutes, Andover were rewarded another penalty.

A goalmouth scramble resulted in Lillington throwing himself on to the goal line and hooking the ball away. He was adjudged to have brought down his man in a bid to keep the ball out.

This time Andover’s Javier Santafe-Vivo converted from 12 yards to level the game up at 1-1.

The Blues kept battling however, and showed great resolve to keep themselves in the hunt.

They had a goal chalked off for offside through Richardson and, soon after, Richardson crossed for substitute Tom Bearwish, who could only head straight at the goalkeeper.

But the all-important second did arrive for the Blues. Richardson picked up the ball on the edge of the box as the hosts failed to fully clear and he fired into the bottom corner for 2-1. That was enough to win it for the Blues 15 minutes from time.

Giving his thought on his side’s victory, Bailey told Echosport: “It’s no mean feat to go there with 11 and get a result but to do it with 10 for so long is a great three points, I am delighted.

“It feels a great result and it was very well earned. It was good to get back to winning ways before Christmas and we have consolidated ourselves solidly in the top five. It is all to play for in the second half of the season now when we come back after Christmas.

“It was a magnificent effort from all the players.”

Asked about the red card shown to Beasley, the island boss replied: “There wasn’t even a kafuffle and the next minute the referee was talking to his linesman and showing Jamie the red card.

“Their players didn’t appeal for it and nobody was rolling around on the floor, everyone was a bit spellbound and didn’t understand what was going on.

“I thought he might have said something and was sent off for that but I spoke to the officials at half-time.

“They said even though it wasn’t a punch or an elbow, apparently, after the ball had gone out of play Jamie rested his forearm in the lad’s face or something, to push him away.

“At the end of the day, if he’s done it, he gave the referee a decision to make.”

Blues: Lillington, Smith, Whyton, Bessant, C Clarke, McKechnie, Watts, Beasley, Godfrey (Doidge 55), Richardson, L Clarke (Bearwish 60). Sub not used: Bigg

Attendance: 109