LONGLEVENS 0

PORTLAND UNITED 2

Beasley 28, King 55

PORTLAND stormed through to the second qualifying round of the FA Cup after a fine win in Gloucestershire.

Goals from Jamie Beasley and Luke King earned the Blues £4,500 and a place in the next round after triumphing at Saw Mills End.

The islanders started brightly against their fellow Step Five opponents who play in the Hellenic Premier Division.

The Blues could have taken the lead on 11 minutes when Ed Bastick broke down the right-hand side and crossed to find Beasley, but his effort sailed over the bar.

The visitors then suffered a blow when Sam Buckler was forced off with a recurrence of a thigh strain and was replaced by Bailey Rowe, forcing assistant-manager Mark Carter into an early reshuffle.

However, the Blues did take the lead on 28 minutes when a move saw Bastick find Max Buckler who in turn played the ball to Beasley, who made no mistake from just inside the box, although the home keeper may well feel he could have done better with the effort.

Carter reshuffled his side at the break, moving Jamie Symes back to play at centre-back alongside King.

The Blues should have doubled their lead on 51 minutes when Josh Williams found Ben Morris, who fired over from close range.

However, the visitors did score again four minutes later then Morris’ inswinging free-kick was bundled over the line by

King.

The Blues then withstood pressure from the home side and

hit the hosts on the counter-attack and probably should

have increased their advantage if they had taken several good opportunities that came their

way.

The second qualifying round draw will be made tomorrow.

A delighted Carter said aft er the game: “It was a very good day for the club.

“It’s always special to make progress in the FA Cup.

“I’ve been told that this is the first time in 52 years that the club has reached this stage of the cup. The financial side helps us out as well.

“It’s pleasing for myself, Brendon (King, manager) and Stuart (Heath, coach), it will be good to get a home draw in the next round against one of the big boys.”

Blues: Boore, Bastick, Clarke, S Buckler (Rowe 14), King, Williams, M Buckler, McKechnie, Symes, Morris (Godfrey 80), Beasley (Cox 75). Subs not used: Hutchinson, Green

Man of the match: Luke King