PORTLAND UNITED 5

Symes 38, 41, 90+6, McKechnie 45, 85

AFC PORTCHESTER 3

Breed 21, 60, Turvey 23

PORTLAND United came from two goals down to secure a late 5-3 win at home to AFC Portchester in the Sydenhams League Cup quarter-final.

Jamie Symes netted a hat-trick, while Ryan McKechnie bagged a brace in what turned out to be a resounding, if late, victory over the Royals.

The match had started disastrously for the home side, when they found themselves 2-0 down after 23 minutes.

Firstly, Jack Breed fired in after 21 minutes for the visitors to hand them an early lead.

The early damage was then doubled two minutes later, when Mike Turvey netted to double the visitors’ advantage.
However, Portland then responded in quite some style after stemming the flow for 15 minutes.

Symes got the first of his three-goal haul after 38 minutes, before he then equalised with 41 minutes on the clock.
McKechnie then struck on the stroke of half-time to hand the Blues a 3-2 half-time lead.

The Royals came out well at the start of the second half however, and saw their rewards when Breed grabbed his second of the afternoon after 60 minutes.

The game seemed to be heading to a stalemate, before McKechnie and Symes once again struck to provide the difference.

Firstly, McKechnie netted after 85 minutes to hand the Blues a late lead.

The win was then wrapped up for the Blues, when Symes completed his hat-trick in the sixth minute of injury time.
After the match, Portland coach Stuart Heath said: “It was a bit of a crazy game. 

“I’m not sure if both defences came out with too much credit, I think both sides showed real attacking prowess during the game.

“We are just glad to get through to the next round.”

Heath also praised their opponents, who gave the Blues a serious test in their quest to reach the semi-final.
Heath said: “We knew that Portchester are an outstanding team, with some really creative attacking players that can really hurt you.

“That proved so really in the first half, they scored two really good goals which, defensively we could not do much about.”

Portland travel to Hamworthy United on Saturday, as Portland boss Brendon King faces his old club.

Portland: Lillington, Doidge, S Buckler, Whyton, Clarke, McKechnie, M Buckler (Halloran 70), Watts, Beasley (Hutchinson 85), Richardson (Mitchell 80), Symes. Subs not used: Butcher

Man of the Match: Ryan McKechnie

Match Sponsors: Weymouth Precision Engineers Ltd

Match Ball Sponsor: Pat Kempson

Match Programme Sponsor: Charlie Dewland

Attendance: 130