LYMINGTON TOWN 1

PORTLAND UNITED 2

BLUES’ boss Gary Bailey was happy to see his side battle back and secure three points at Lymington Town.

Portland initially fell behind in difficult conditions at the Sports Ground before second-half goals from Lewis Clarke and Ross Carmichael ensured they recorded their 15th league win of the campaign.

“It was a good three points but it was not a good game. It was really tough and scrappy in tough conditions,” the island manager told Echosport.

“They set their stall out early doors to try and stop us from playing. They had lots of energy, got in our faces and broke play up, it was niggly and there was lots of fouls.

“It was a stop-start game that had very little rhythm to it.”

After Lymington had a shout for a penalty turned down, they almost took the lead on 28 minutes. Skipper Tim Stephenson went close after meeting a free-kick from former Dorchester Town man Jack Odam.

Six minutes after the break, the home side did put themselves in front, Lewis Packham converting the opener.

The Blues were far from done however, and they got back on level terms through Clarke.

The frontman latched on to a loose ball in the box, fired at goal and saw his effort squirm under the home keeper and into the net.

A bizarre incident then took place which Bailey described as “a bit ridiculous” resulting in the hosts being down to 10 men.

Describing the incident, Bailey said: “Ross Carmichael got booked for a nothing tackle out wide. He jogged back in and there was a bit of a commotion, the referee ran over and showed a red card.

“Apparently, one of their lads just threw his forearm at Ross’ face!

“Then, the lad went to walk off the pitch and halfway off he stopped, took his shin pads off, his boots off, his socks off and then his shirt off.

“He stood on the pitch and the referee then gave him a yellow card after he had already sent him off.”

Portland kept their focus however, and got their second goal four minutes from time. Clarke crossed for Carmichael, who powered a header off the bar and into the net to win it.

Bailey added: “It was a bit of joke of a game really from start to finish. You could see as soon as they scored their goal, for about 10 minutes after, every time they got the ball they just booted it off the pitch, into the trees and just kicked it anywhere.

“The way they were playing, it wouldn’t have really mattered if they had 10 men or 12 men because they weren’t playing football. They were just banging it away as far from their goal as far as they could. Eventually our quality showed through.”

Blues: Mullis, Smith, Whyton, Carmichael, Clarke, Doidge, M Buckler (Halloran 60), Richardson (Bearwish 60), Watts (Godfrey 70), McKechnie, Clarke. Sub not used: S Buckler, Bessant