OKEFORD RES 0

PORTLAND TOWN A 9

PORTLAND Town A started their Dorset League Division Four season with a dominant display at Okeford Reserves.

Island boss Richard Johnson had to name himself in the team due to losing his keeper to illness early on Saturday morning.

With the A team captain missing for the opening game of the season, Johnson named Sam Course as vice- captain and skipper for the day.

Early in the game, Luke Moorley had a goal ruled out, due to an offside decision.

Moments later, Okeford’s main chance of the game came with a bobbling through ball sneaking past the defence but, Johnson blocked with his body.

However, A team regular Floyd Musson, combining with Edd Barber who made his 100th club appearance, Connor Anstey and new signing Joe Ryder, gave the midfield the freedom to press forward.

Following numerous chances from the visiting attack, the deadlock was broken by a Richard Limm shot following an Elliot Gould cross being nodded back unselfishly by Andrew Mitchell.

After several Luke Moorley chances including a left-footed strike that hit the keeper in the face and a volley that struck the crossbar, It took another midfielder to extend the lead to two with Liam Diment slotting home after a good run from Course.

In the second half, a foul on Liam Diment in the Okeford box led to a penalty which Moorley saw saved, but Sam Course opened his account for the season slotting home the rebound.

Course then doubled his tally before setting up Diment for his second.

With the game safe, Johnson rolled in the changes with James Duncan and David Chadwick replacing Anstey and Moorley.

Course then completed his hat-trick before Elliott Gould joined the 100-club goal group.

With more goals looking likely the team rallied to try and get David Chadwick’s account opened for the season and Another foul in the box led to David Chadwick to step up and dispatch a great penalty and show Moorley how to score from 12 yards.

The game was solely in Town control and with the last touch of the game, Mitchell scored the ninth for Town.

The Osprey MOTM was awarded to Sam Course