PORTLAND UNITED 1

SHOLING 0

ON Grand National day, Portland United ensured it was still well and truly a two-horse race to claim the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division title this term.

The island outfit ensured they would at least finish second in the division this season, with a hard-fought victory over fourth-placed Sholing at Grove Corner.

And while that was one of their more difficult obstacles to overcome, Gary Bailey’s troops will now look to continue going at a gallop in a bid to overhaul league leaders Moneyfields, and pip them to the post in the run-in.

The Blues took the lead on nine minutes against the Boatmen with a strike that proved to be decisive.

Darren Watts won the ball in a dangerous area. He then played in Lewis Clarke, who kept his cool to tuck the ball into the bottom corner and get his side off to a superb start.

Watts then could have got on the scoresheet himself. The former Bridport man met a precise delivery from Ross Doidge from the right flank but headed straight at visiting keeper Ryan Gosney.

The Blues continued to pose a threat and they almost doubled their lead when Alex Halloran’s corner found towering defender Ross Carmichael, who headed just wide after making a run to the front post.

After coping with a brief rally from the visitors after the break, the Blues went agonisingly close to scoring again on the hour mark.

A free-kick whipped in by Halloran narrowly evaded the head of Lewis Whyton and was stabbed off the goal line by a covering defender.

Some neat football on the edge of the Sholing box saw the ball eventually fell to Portland’s Doidge, who forced a smart save from the keeper as the Blues continued to look to kill the game off.

Doidge then headed over unmarked from eight yards out 10 minutes from time and, although, Sholing attempted to grab a late winner, the island outfit’s goal was never really threatened on the afternoon as they secured their 28th league success of the campaign.

“It was always going to be a close game between two good sides,” said Blues’ chief Bailey.

“It was a bit end-to-end and a bit chaotic at times but I thought we were good value for our lead in the first half.

“It was fantastic and I can’t ask for any more from the lads, they gave me everything.”

Portland are currently four points behind leaders Moneyfields, who are expected to be penalised three points for fielding a suspended player.

Blues: Lillington, Smith, Whyton, Carmichael, C Clarke, McKechnie, Doidge, Halloran, Buckler, Watts (Bastick 72), L Clarke (Godfrey 74). Subs not used: Bessant, J Camp

Match sponsor: Grant Leighton

Match ball sponsor: Robin (Dobbin) Stone

Man of the match sponsor: Pat Kempson

Programme Sponsor: Karen’s Motorcycle Training School.

Attendance: 219