PORTLAND UNITED 6

Stewart, Doidge, McKechnie (2), Walker, Bessant

BASHLEY 2

Jackson, Beard

PORTLAND United recorded their second successive 6-2 thrashing as they went away and smashed Bashley in their Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division encounter.

The win follows the Blues’ 6-2 thumping of Bemerton Heath Harlequins at the weekend.

Goals from Ryan McKechnie (2), Sean Stewart, Ross Doidge, Steven Walker and Shaun Bessant sealed the one-sided victory for the Blues.

Portland initially went 1-0 down, when a free-kick from Sam Jackson was bundled over the line early on despite calls for offside.

However, Portland equalised through a free-kick from Alex Godfrey, which led to a scramble in the penalty area and Stewart was on hand to fire in his first goal for the Blues.

Portland then went 2-1 up after a good move from Godfrey, McKechnie and Jamie Symes which led to the ball finding Doidge on the edge of the area who slammed home.

Bashley then equalised through Cameron Beard after a Jackson cross.

McKechnie then grabbed his first of the evening, when the Blues broke away and Godfrey played a great ball over to the former who slotted home.

In the second half the Blues had to soak up a lot of pressure, as Bashley came back at them searching for another equaliser.

The islanders were able to break away and fashion a corner, which Godfrey swung in for Walker to nod in.

Portland again broke away as Godfrey and Max Buckler combined well to send McKechnie through for his second goal of the match.

Bessant then wrapped up the scoring when he ran from his own half, down the right-hand side before he cut it back to Symes who fired in but saw his effort saved by Isaac Haigh in the Bashley goal.

The ball came back to Godfrey who picked out Bessant at the far post to nod in and complete the rout.

The result boosts the Blues up to fourth in the table, and Portland can go second should they win their game in hand over Horndean, which would put them eight points behind current league leaders Sholing.

Portland host Andover New Street on Saturday (3pm).

Blues: Lillington, Bessant, Clarke, Doidge (Bastick 75), Whyton, Walker, McKechnie, M Buckler (Butcher 80), Symes, Godfrey, Stewart. Subs not used: Tewkesbury

Bashley: Haigh, Jackson, Rolls, Thompson, Manufor, Dathan, Morris, White, Strickland, Beard, Munday. Subs: Smith, Drake, Farrugia, Rutten, Clements

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