BRIDPORT 1

PORTLAND UNITED 4

PORTLAND United put in a well-gelled and confident performance to ease past Bridport in a 4-1 pre-season friendly victory at St Mary’s Field.

Bridport took the lead with a Tom Richardson close range headed effort before Portland had even launched their first attack in the first half.

However, Portland came back at the Bees and, despite a good start from the home side, the Blues started to dominate possession.

Callum Thompson, who had another good game for the Bees, provoked a good save from Ash Green in the Portland goal from a free-kick.

The Bridport defence were holding firm against an improving Portland, asides from two chances that Portland’s trialist should have done better with.

Yet sure enough the equaliser came, and when it did the two sides would not be level for long.

Firstly, Jamie Symes scored an acute header late on in the first half, before Portland’s trialist made amends for his earlier miss with a goal moments later.

With both sides at step five of non-League football the match saw the use of sin-bins, a temporary dismissal due to dissent, with Portland’s Crit Clarke and Bridport’s Richardson falling foul of the rule.

The second half saw numerous changes for both sides, and Portland’s winning margin was only extended through goals from Mo Heraka, who impressed during the second half, and Lance Wilson.

Bridport grew back into the game late on, and almost got a goal back when a Sam Handyside shot hit the post before being cleared away to safety.

Despite the very well trodden connections between the two sides, it was a fiery affair, aided by frustration with offside calls.

Portland boss Brendon King, discussing the match, said: “Apart from the first 30 seconds I thought it was really good. The good thing I think was we created numerous chances. We have missed a lot of chances, however, I have not got a problem with missing them because it is creating them that is the important thing.

“So in that respect, yes it was a good workout from our point of view.”

Meanwhile, Bridport boss Robson said: “In terms of a test for us, it was good to see and Portland, their quality shined through in the end.”

It mattered little in terms of the result however, which saw Portland take a deserved victory.

Portland next face Willand Rovers on Saturday, while Bridport travel to Bashley on the same day.

Bridport: Wells-Burr, Wall, Hannam, Trialist, Dovell, Gall, Cornish, Richardson, Clarke, Thompson, Okumu. Subs: Coombs, Kershaw, Hewitt, Handyside, Weedon, Gray, Rads, Bagg

Portland first-half: Green, Bastick, Clarke, King, Butcher, S Buckler, Halloran, Stewart, Symes, Trialist, Godfrey Second half: Green, Bessant, Clarke, Butcher, Godfrey, Trialist, McKechnie, Howe, M Buckler, Hutchinson, Heraka. Sub: Wilson