Image: Michelle Carr
Match Report: Dave Ring
Portland United 2-0 Shaftesbury
Southern League Division one South
Monday 31st August 2026 – 3:00pm
Camp & Satherley Stadium
Attendance: 396
Portland United made history on Bank Holiday Monday as the Blues recorded their first-ever victory at Step Four, beating Shaftesbury 2-0 in front of an excellent crowd of 396 at the Camp & Satherley Stadium.
It was a thoroughly deserved victory and one which underlined just how quickly Portland have adapted to life in the Southern League Division One South following their promotion at the end of last season.
The Blues started brightly and were immediately on the front foot, with their intensity and pressing causing Shaftesbury problems from the outset. The visitors came close to taking the lead inside five minutes, but Portland goalkeeper Smalley produced an important early save to prevent a Shaftesbury forward from forcing the ball over the line.
Portland continued to press and had their first effort on target in the 13th minute. Josh Williams did brilliantly to win possession high up the pitch with a strong challenge on the edge of the Shaftesbury box, although his subsequent effort was comfortably gathered by the visiting goalkeeper.
The Blues’ pressure continued to grow, with Coombs and Williams combining superbly to win the ball back high up the pitch in the 33rd minute, earning Portland a corner.
Just a few minutes later, Portland got the reward their positive approach deserved.
With the ball loose inside the Shaftesbury penalty area, Patrick Jenkins reacted quickest to latch onto it before calmly guiding his finish into the side netting to put the Blues 1-0 ahead.
It was Jenkins’ third goal in just two games and another important contribution from the Portland forward.
The Blues almost doubled their advantage before the interval. A long throw from Stuttle caused problems in the Shaftesbury box and, when the ball dropped to Delves on the penalty spot, he fired his effort over the crossbar.
Portland went into the interval with a deserved one-goal advantage.
The second half saw the Blues continue to work tirelessly and their relentless pressing eventually produced a second goal in the 62nd minute.
Portland once again forced an error from the visitors, with Jenkins stealing possession from the Shaftesbury goalkeeper who had ventured a long way from his goal. There was still plenty for Jenkins to do, as he rounded another defender before rolling the ball into the unguarded net to make it 2-0.
Shaftesbury were now facing an uphill battle and Portland continued to defend their advantage with tremendous commitment.
The Blues made their first change in the 62nd minute, with Borges replacing Brook, before Borthwick came on for Delves eight minutes later.
As Shaftesbury searched for a way back into the contest, Portland’s defensive resilience was tested, but the Blues refused to buckle.
In the 78th minute, a huge block from Gadsby summed up Portland’s determination, with bodies being thrown in the way to keep the visitors at bay.
The Blues then had an opportunity to add a third in the 80th minute. Scott did brilliantly to win possession in midfield and release Ben Morris on the counter-attack. Morris drove into the penalty area and cut onto his right foot before powering his effort narrowly wide of the far post.
Camp replaced Morris in the 82nd minute, while Joyce came on for Jenkins in the 90th as Portland managed the closing stages.
Five minutes of added time were played, but there was to be no late drama.
When the final whistle eventually sounded, it confirmed a landmark moment in Portland United’s history.
A 2-0 victory, a clean sheet and three valuable Southern League points, but, most importantly, the Blues’ first-ever victory at Step Four.
After the disappointment of narrowly missing out on a first league win earlier in the season, Portland have now shown exactly what they are capable of at this level.
There is still a long season ahead, but Bank Holiday Monday will go down as a memorable day in the history of Portland United Football Club.
The Blues are up and running at Step Four.
FT: Portland Unite 2 Shaftesbury 0
