PORTLAND UNITED RES 4

CORFE CASTLE 3

PORTLAND United put back-to-back wins together for the first time this season in the Dorset Premier League as they came out on top against fellow promoted side Corfe Castle by the odd goal in seven.

Corfe were promoted as champions from the Dorset Senior League last year, beating Portland United Reserves twice on the way to the title in games which island boss Justin Faulkner described as close with not much between the sides.

In difficult conditions, Corfe Castle took a surprise lead against the run of play when a shot on goal found the net despite the best efforts of Ross Jones to keep the ball out.

Portland were back on level terms as Che Curran’s flick found Adam Anstey in space who volleyed the ball home from close range, before the Blues went in front when Curran’s header back across goal was converted by Lee Sharpe.

Corfe found an equaliser of their own with only their second effort on the Portland goal, as Curran missed his clearance allowing a Corfe Castle striker to fire low into the net.

Portland ensured they would take a lead into the break as Sean Zima controlled the ball on the edge of the box before driving a sweet strike which arrowed in at the far post.

After the break, Portland extended their lead when Louis Hankin played in Sol Roche who made sure with a left-footed strike which found the far corner of the net to seemingly put the game beyond Corfe.

But Portland would gift the visitors another way back into the game as Jones’ day went from bad to worse as he gave away a penalty and received a caution for the offence.

The resulting spot-kick was duly despatched but Portland saw the game out.

Looking back at the game, Faulkner said: “The scoreline looks like a fairly close game but we have not really made the most of our chances, I think we created some very good chances, probably in double figures.

“On another day, we score a few more than we already have.

“The goals we have conceded have been absolute gifts whereas if we were playing like we have been then these goals do not happen.”

Portland are next in action when they travel to Parley Sports on Saturday.

Portland: Jones, Sharpe (Gould 80), Hankin, Curran (R Zima 75), Hill, Anstey, S Zima, E Roche, Wall (Camp 45), S Roche, Mitchell. Subs not used: Tennant,

Hawke