BAFFINS MILTON ROVERS 1

Moret 90+2

PORTLAND UNITED 0

A STOPPAGE-TIME Tyler Moret goal saw Portland United lose 1-0 to Baffins Milton Rovers in the Sydenhams Wessex Football League Cup final.

Portland saw sub Darren Watts go in goal late on, when goalkeeper Michael Edgar picked up an injury in the 77th minute.

The Blues held out well, and almost made it to extra-time, but Moret’s goal denied them the silverware.

Portland began the match well, pressing Baffins well in the early stages.

In tough conditions, the Blues had a cross came in from Ryan McKechnie and Baffins’ goalkeeper Cameron Scott pushed the ball round for a corner.

In the sixth minute, Baffins had a free-kick but it came to nothing.

It was the Blues’ turn to threaten next, when a first-time volley from Jamie Beasley went over the bar after a good ball from McKechnie.

With 24 minutes on the clock, Baffins’ Jason Parish had a chance but the Blues were alert to clear.

A further chance came for Parish, and for Portland’s Jamie Symes at the other end, but both sides were struggling to craft a breakthrough.

Baffins then managed to get the ball into the back of the net, but saw it ruled out for offside with 36 minutes on the clock.

McKechnie had a late scuffed chance that was straight at Scott, but neither side could not prevent the two sides going into the break deadlocked.

Baffins started the second half well, with two quick corners before they saw an effort cleared off the line.

Beasley then put a first-time ball that allowed Symes to get through but Scott got a touch to thwart the Blues.

Portland attempted to respond and soon saw Lewis Whyton head just wide of the post from a McKechnie corner.

Symes then went close for the Blues, when he saw a shot saved by Baffins’ goalkeeper Scott.

However, the second half was a quiet affair with few chances.

Another chance fell to Portland when Alex Godfrey pulled a ball back for Richard Marshallsay who scuffed his effort wide of the post.

Disaster struck the Blues in the 77th minute, when goalkeeper Edgar had to come off with injury, prompting Watts to go between the sticks for the remainder of the match.

McKechnie cut in late on but saw his shot drift wide of the post.

The Blues did their best to hold out until extra-time and almost managed it.

However, Parish put in a great delivery that Moret latched onto and buried the ball off the inside of the post to break the deadlock and break Portland’s hearts in the 92nd minute.

Portland United boss Brendon King, reflecting on the match, said: “I’m obviously very disappointed, but very proud of the players.

“We did good (against Baffins), unfortunately we did not take our chances and it has come and bitten us in the 92nd minute.

“After losing our goalkeeper with a broken wrist, Jamie Symes had to come off after 70 minutes due to a heavy tackle and he has got a bad ankle, then literally five minutes later Mike has come out and got smashed by the centre forward and fallen awkwardly and he has broken his wrist.

“So it is a bit disappointing but unfortunately we should have been out of sight by then, we had two or three really good chances.

“But ultimately I am proud of the players’ performance, they have given us everything but it is the old adage, if you don’t take your chances you don’t win matches.”

When asked he said to the players after the match, King replied: “It is very difficult because emotions run high and ultimately they have given us everything,you cannot do more than that.”

Reflecting on their season, King said: “It has just been our Achilles’ heel this season, probably since Christmas the injuries, missed chances, being a bit unlucky at times, I think that has been the story of the second half of our season and that is why it has petered off a little bit.

“Obviously we have finished fourth and got to a cup final, so not all bad.”

Baffins Milton Rovers: Scott, Grimshaw, Williams, Wedlake (Tierney 57), Burns, Cornish, Taw, Leigh, Parish, Dart, Moret. Subs not used: Blakinson, Haley, McLean, Leigh

Portland United: Edgar (Godfrey 75), Bastick, Clark (Watts 59), Halloran, Whyton, S Buckler, McKechnie, M Buckler, Symes (S Roche 70), Marshallsay, Beasley. Subs not used: Rowe, E Roche

Attendance: 264

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