Image: Michelle Carr

Match Report: Dave Ring

Paulton Rover Vs Portland United
Southern League Division One South
Wednesday 16th September 2026 – 7:30pm
Winterfield Stadium
Attendance: 159

Portland United produced another entertaining night of Southern League football on Wednesday evening but were forced to settle for a point after an extraordinary 3–3 draw at Paulton Rovers.

In a game that had just about everything, the Blues twice established a two-goal advantage, found themselves back in front after the interval, were reduced to ten men and ultimately had to withstand a late spell of pressure from the hosts before securing a deserved share of the spoils.

Portland made the perfect start and took the lead after 24 minutes when Sam Gadsby found the net, giving the visitors a reward for their bright opening.

Just five minutes later, the Blues doubled their advantage. Josh Williams struck from distance with an excellent finish to leave Paulton facing a two-goal deficit and Portland firmly in control.

The hosts, however, hit back almost immediately. Brandon Bak pulled one back in the 34th minute, and suddenly the momentum began to swing towards the home side.

Portland was unable to get to half-time with their advantage intact and, deep into first-half stoppage time, a firm header from Bak after a whipped cross from the right wing by Cam Allen led to Paulton’s 2nd goal bringing the scores level at 2–2.

Despite the disappointment of surrendering a two-goal lead, Portland regrouped at the interval, with Jamie White replacing Greg Borthwick for the second half.

The change did little to disrupt the Blues, who regained the lead after 57 minutes. A dangerous free-kick was delivered into the Paulton penalty area and Callum Corbridge rose highest to head Portland back in front at 3–2.

With Portland now looking to protect their advantage, the game took another dramatic turn on 71 minutes when Jack Delves was shown a second yellow card and the Blues were reduced to ten men.

Paulton immediately sensed an opportunity and, just three minutes later, Bak completed his hat-trick with a header to make it 3–3.

Portland made further changes, with Hayden Scott replacing Ben Morris and Jaydon Biss coming on for Archie Woolford, as the Blues dug in for the closing stages.

Five minutes of added time were signalled, but despite Paulton throwing everything forward, Portland held firm to claim a point from a remarkable evening of football.

There was undoubtedly frustration at letting a two-goal lead slip, particularly after Portland had regained the advantage with just over half an hour remaining. Yet, having played the final 20 minutes with ten men and faced sustained pressure from the hosts, the Blues showed plenty of character to come away from the Winterfield Stadium with something to show for their efforts.

For a side finding its feet at Step 4, there were plenty of positives to take from another high-scoring encounter, with Gadsby, Williams and Corbridge all getting their names on the scoresheet.

The 3–3 draw leaves Portland with five points from their opening four Southern League fixtures, with the Blues still unbeaten away from home in the league this season.

And if Wednesday night was anything to go by, there certainly won’t be many dull evenings following Portland United this season.

FT: PAULTON ROVERS 3 PORTLAND UNITED 3

Paulton Rovers

Starting XI: Archie Matthews, Luco Domenico Robert Ponsillo, Christopher Peck, Ewan  McMillan, Sidney Partridge, Martin Lenihan (C), Dylan Gould, Brandon Bak, Alfie Kelleher, Thomas Symons, Cameron Allen.

Substitutes: Leighton Perema Chinedu Tuodolo, Thomas Beeson, Krystian Woods, William Thomson Osborne, Alec Thomas.

Portland United

Starting XI: Callum Smalley, Jacob Coombs, Tom Peach, Josh Williams (C), Callum Corbridge, Sam Gadsby, Archie Woolford, Jack Delves, Gregory Borthwick, Ben Morris, Pat Jenkins.

Substitutes: Connor Dunesby-Bent, Hayden Scott, Harley Brook, Jaydon Biss, Jamie White.

Portland substitutions: Jamie White for Greg Borthwick (46′), Hayden Scott for Ben Morris (74′), Jaydon Biss for Archie Woolford (75′).