BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY 1

PORTLAND UNITED 3

PORTLAND United’s remarkable league campaign rolls on as they overcame Wessex League big guns Blackfield & Langley away from home, in a victory that boss Gary Bailey was ecstatic with.

The island boss insisted his side “thoroughly deserved” their victory at Gang Warily against the team that sits just one spot above them in the league table in second position.

“I could not ask for more from my players,” the island chief told Echosport.

“It was a really solid away performance, which was thoroughly deserved, there was no smash and grab about it.

“It could have been a few more, if I’m honest, but I’m not going to be greedy!”

The Blues took the lead on five minutes when an inswinging delivery struck by Alex Halloran from a corner, forced Blackfield keeper Brad Snelling to try and claim.

But the gloveman could not gather and, after a melee in the box, the ball missed everyone and sailed into the top corner.

Lewis Clarke then could have extended the visitors’ advantage when he was played in one-on-one with the goalkeeper but he fluffed his lines and shot wide of the target. Alex Godfrey then forced the keeper to tip the ball on to the post soon after.

A remarkable double save from Sean Lillington at the other end kept the Blues’ lead intact during the opening period before the Watersiders had Callum Cunniffe-Pilley sent off just before the break for kicking out at Halloran.

With a man advantage, Portland then made it 2-0 on 53 minutes. Chris Clarke went on a surging run on the counter and crossed for Ryan McKechnie to convert from close range.

Blackfield striker Jamie White tapped home to pull a goal back for the hosts but the game was wrapped up just five minutes later through islanders’ substitute Tom Bearwish.

Some clever movement from the youngster allowed him to turn the ball into the net from Alex Godfrey’s cross, again on the counter-attack.

One sour note for the Blues came with 20 minutes left.

Having been cautioned in the first half, Ross Carmichael picked up another booking for a mistimed challenge and was sent off but it was not to matter as Bailey’s side recorded a massive victory.

The Grove Corner manager added: “We played some good football and looked resolute defensively all over the pitch, everyone put a shift in and we took our goals at good times.

“It wasn’t spectacular or full of thrills, it was a really good, solid performance.”

Blues: Lillington, Doidge, C Clarke, Carmichael, Whyton, McKechnie, M Buckler, Halloran, L Clarke (Bearwish 60), Godfrey (Bessant 71), Watts (Smith 80). Sub not used: Wilson