PORTLAND UNITED 5

Beasley (2), Symes (2), McKechnie

CHRISTCHURCH 1

Pope 

A JAMIE Beasley moment of magic sent Portland United on their way to a brilliant 5-1 win against Christchurch in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

Beasley rifled in a lobbed effort from 45 yards in a match that was full of positives for the Blues, who stay second in the table, and were able to introduce new signing Tom Richardson from the bench, as well as a giving a late debut to 16-year-old George Carter as a substitute.

Portland did not start well as Christchurch came out of the blocks fast.

However, Beasley spotted the goalkeeper off his line and lobbed an effort in from long range after 11 minutes.

Remarkably, the Blues doubled their lead immediately, when good pressing from Max Buckler earned possession quickly. Alex Godfrey hit the bar and from the rebound Jamie Symes smashed in.

However, the Church got a lifeline through a penalty after 25 minutes which was dispatched by Dorchester’s Ash Pope, on dual registration, to narrow the scores.

The Blues then extended their lead through Beasley after good work from Max Buckler, which allowed the winger to fire home from an angle.

Symes extended the margin further from a recycled corner, where Sean Stewart put a ball in for Symes to strike home after 40 minutes.

The Blues went in at the break leading 4-1 but suffered a set back in the second period when Stewart was sent off in a rare blemish for the home side, for a second yellow card for a handball after 75 minutes.

Yet the 10 men added to the scoreline when Ryan McKechnie broke forward, beat a man before confidently firing in after 85 minutes.

Portland manager Brendon King said: “It was not a great game for the purists, there were difficult conditions.

“We overcame them better than Christchurch did, so we take heart.

“We played well in difficult conditions, especially in the second half when we were against the wind.”

Portland travel to Arlesford Town on Saturday (3pm).

Portland: Lillington, S Buckler, Walker, Whyton, Clarke, McKechnie (Carter 87), M Buckler, Stewart, Beasley (Mitchell 75), Godfrey (Richardson 65), Symes

Match Sponsors: Irene and Bob King

Match Ball Sponsors: Pam and Dave Bowering

Programme Sponsors: Cove House Inn, Portland – Jackie and Mandy

Man of Match from the main sponsors: Max Buckler

Attendance: 96

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