EMMADALE 2

PORTLAND TOWN 4

ALEX Counter struck his 184th goal to become Portland Town’s all-time top goal scorer in their 4-2 victory over Emmadale FC.

It was a slow start to the game with neither side really taking control as the visitors resorted to route-one football to unsettle Town’s centre back pairing of Danny James and Paul Barber.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to take the lead with an effort from outside the area.

Portland regrouped and soon found themselves back on level terms when Luke Barber played in Counter to finish brilliantly to secure his goal scoring milestone.

It could have been two just minutes later but Colin Upfold’s effort was controversially ruled out for offside.

After the break Portland continued to apply pressure and it wasn’t long before Upfold officially got on the score sheet after he converted from a long ball over the top from goalkeeper Mike Orchard.

But soon after Emmadale were level once again with a fine finish from 20 yards.

Counter then reinstated Portland’s lead after a flick-on from Rich Limm found the record-goal scorer, who converted the chance at the second attempt.

Any hope of an Emmadale comeback was killed off as that man Counter latched onto another ball over the top, before driving in from the flank and curling his effort into the far corner of the net to seal his hat-trick secure a well-earned 4-2 victory.

Manager Colin Judge described Counter’s record as “a great achievement”.