PORTLAND UNITED 0

CHRISTCHURCH 2

PORTLAND United were beaten at home after two second half goals from Christchurch went unanswered in their Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division clash.

The home side remain tenth in the league table after this result but feel they should have gained a point from the match.

After going into half time level pegging, manager Brendon King said: “It’s an old cliché but it was one of those where it was a game of two halves.

“The wind was very strong up there today and it was a case of we didn’t take our chances.

“There wasn’t a lot between the two sides to be honest with you, all it was was they were a little more clinical in front of goal today and the wind spoiled it a bit.”

In the first half Portland were playing with the wind and using it to their advantage quite brilliantly. They had a number of chances, with Ed Bastick making a great run and being put through by Ben Morris. Bastick lifted the ball over the keeper but it went over the bar as well.

Josh Williams had a chance after a good ball from Josh Williams and captain Jamie Symes tested the goalie with a brilliantly struck free kick before hitting another set piece just wide.

King added: “We started off quite brightly, we had a few little half chances but it just didn’t happen for us.We came out for the second half and we normally play better going against the wind but we were just camped back in our own half a bit and only managed to break a couple of times.

“Ash Green made his debut because Steve Bull was unavailable and he made two good saves to keep it at 0-0.”

But it was the visitors who struck first, as a looping corner went to the back post and fell into the box, with the ball ending up in the back of the net after a frantic melee.

Christchurch seized the advantage and added a second ten minutes later, but King felt Portland were in the game for most of the afternoon.

“I am a bit frustrated for my lads to be honest,” he said. “I know we are a good side on our day.

“We have a young side and when they are at that age they are going to be quite inconsistent but if we get those levels up we have a bright future.”

Portland: Ash Green, Ed Bastick, James Cox, Alex Godfrey, Luke King, Shaun Bessant, Sol Roche, Josh Williams, Jamie Symes (c), Bailey Rowe, Ben Morris.

Subs: Ryan Mckechnie, Manny Roche, Harry Hutchinson.

Christchurch: Lewis Gunstone-Gray, Harvey Wright, Emmanual Ohameje, Ron Frost, Billy Walker (c), Jon Blake, Nick Swann, Ben Satterley, Ash Pope, Max Wilcock, Matt Neale.

Subs: Kyle Graham, Max Frampton, Lucas Murrain, Josh Kirkham, Jack Satterley.

Match Ball Sponsors:  Tony & Chris Lush

Programme Sponsor:  Cafe Oasis - Paul Cocks

Attendance 143