Image: Dave Wagner
Match Report: Dave Ring
Tiverton Town 1-4 Portland United
Southern League Division One South
Saturday 17th October 2026 – 3:00pm
Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium
Portland United produced a superb second half display to sweep aside Tiverton Town, scoring four times after the break to secure an emphatic 4–1 victory and take all three points on the road.
The Blues knew they would have to be at their best against a Tiverton side on their own patch, and the opening 45 minutes proved a competitive affair. Portland battled hard, stood firm when required and showed plenty of determination, matching their hosts throughout a goalless first half.
There was little to separate the sides before the interval, but Portland had laid the foundations for what would become a memorable afternoon. Whatever was said in the dressing room at half-time certainly had the desired effect, as the visitors returned with renewed purpose and quickly seized control.
The breakthrough arrived six minutes into the second half when Remus Nixon stepped up to convert from the penalty spot in the 51st minute, giving Portland the lead their hard work deserved.
The Blues were now in the ascendancy, and they wasted little time in tightening their grip on the contest. Just five minutes after opening the scoring, Nixon struck again in the 56th minute to complete a devastating double and put Portland firmly in command at 2–0.
Tiverton attempted to respond with a couple of substitutions, but Portland continued to look the more dangerous side. The visitors were playing with confidence, moving the ball with greater freedom and threatening to add to their advantage whenever they pushed forward.
Managerial changes brought fresh legs into the Portland attack, with Harley Brook introduced in the 66th minute. It proved an inspired move, as Brook made his mark just six minutes later, finding the net in the 72nd minute to make it three and leave Tiverton facing an increasingly uphill battle.
At 3–0, the Blues were in complete control, and although the home side continued to search for a way back into the game, Portland showed little sign of letting their advantage slip. Further changes followed as the visitors managed the closing stages, with Gregory Borthwick replacing the two-goal Nixon and Joshua Camp coming on for Jack Delves.
Portland’s afternoon was capped by a late double that ensured there would be no doubt about the outcome. Patrick Jenkins found the net in the 88th minute to make it four, putting the finishing touch on an outstanding team performance.
Tiverton did manage to find a consolation goal through Aiden Horne in the second minute of stoppage time, but it did little to take the shine off a commanding Portland victory.
From a hard-fought first half to a second-half masterclass, the Blues had shown both resilience and attacking quality. Nixon’s penalty broke the deadlock, his second goal opened the floodgates, and Brook and Jenkins added further punishment as Portland turned a tight contest into a thoroughly convincing win.
For Portland United, this was a statement performance away from home, built on hard work, patience and clinical finishing when the opportunities arrived. Four goals, three valuable points and a result to savour as the Blues continue their Southern League Division One South campaign.
FULL-TIME: TIVERTON TOWN 1–4 PORTLAND UNITED
Tiverton Town: Louis Smith, Mason Winter, Corey Koerner, Louie Slough, Edward Palmer (c), Joshua Bissett, Asa Hall, Owen Howe, Jacob Wellington, Jack Kennell, Aaron Wellington.
Substitutes: Matthew Wood, Toby Stephens, Finn Roberts, Aiden Horne, Billy Tucker.
Portland United: Toby Stainer-Reid, Jacob Coombs, Tom Peach (Jake Streams 37′), Hayden Scott, Callum Corbridge, Jamie Cleaver, Patrick Jenkins, Joshua Williams (c), Remus Nixon (Greg Borthwick 74′), Jack Delves (Joshua Camp 83′), Archie Woolford (Harley Brook 66′).
Substitutes: Callum Smalley, Jake Streams, Joshua Camp, Harley Brook, Greg Borthwick.
Portland United goals: Remus Nixon 51′ (pen), 56′, Harley Brook 72′, Patrick Jenkins 88′.
