Image: Dave Wagner

Match Report: Dave Ring

Bournemouth Sports 3–1 Portland United Reserves
Dorset Premier League
Saturday 24th October 2026, 3:00pm
Chapel Gate

Portland United Reserves endured a difficult afternoon at Chapel Gate on Saturday, going down 3–1 to Bournemouth Sports in conditions that tested the resolve of both sides. With persistent rain, swirling winds and a challenging playing surface making life uncomfortable throughout, it was an afternoon when determination and resilience were every bit as important as footballing ability.

Both teams deserve credit for getting on with the task in hand, with the weather making it difficult to establish any real rhythm. Unfortunately for Portland, the hosts adapted well to the conditions and made their opportunities count.

Bournemouth Sports made a positive start and took the lead through Lewis Evans, who produced an excellent strike from distance to find the back of the net. With clear-cut opportunities proving difficult to create in the conditions, it was a moment of quality that gave the hosts the advantage.

Portland continued to battle, but Bournemouth doubled their lead from a set piece. Jake Harvey delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area, where Levi Middlewick reacted quickest to apply the finishing touch and leave the visitors with work to do.

Despite the two-goal deficit, Portland refused to throw in the towel and continued to compete in difficult circumstances. Their persistence was rewarded when Mike Powell found the net to pull one back, giving the Reserves renewed hope of getting back into the contest.

The goal offered Portland a potential route back into the game, but Bournemouth Sports responded by maintaining their organisation and preventing the visitors from building enough momentum to threaten an equaliser.

The hosts then delivered the decisive blow through Josh Charalambous. Collecting possession around 25 yards from goal, he unleashed a powerful effort that proved too much for the Portland goalkeeper, despite getting a hand to the shot, as the ball found its way into the side netting to restore Bournemouth’s two-goal cushion.

Portland battled on until the final whistle, but the damage had been done, with Bournemouth Sports seeing out the remainder of the contest to secure the three points.

While the result was disappointing for the Reserves, the players deserve credit for continuing to fight in conditions that made the afternoon a real test of character. Mike Powell’s goal provided a bright moment for Portland, but ultimately the hosts took their chances at key moments to claim the victory.

With the weather playing such a significant role, it was far from an afternoon for free-flowing football. Portland will now look to put the defeat behind them and turn their attention to their next fixture as they aim to get back to winning ways.

Portland United Reserves: Sam Gregg, Ben Holloway (c), Tyler Butcher, Sam Gadsby, Tom Peach, Darren Watts, Preston Hepburn, Adam Rodgers, Callum Norman, Mike Powell, Tom Butcher.

Substitutes used: Seb Bobora-David (for Tom Butcher), Ellis Moles (for Callum Norman), Cory Roy (for Tyler Butcher), Harry Restorik (for Preston Hepburn).

Unused substitute: Haydn Payne.

Goal: Mike Powell.