Image: Michelle Carr.
Match Report: Dave Ring
Portland United 2-0 Hartpury
Southern League Division One South
Saturday 7th November 2026
Camp & Satherley Stadium
Attendance: 287
Portland United made it back-to-back victories with an impressive 2-0 triumph over Hartpury at the Camp & Satherley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Harley Brook breaking the deadlock before substitute Greg Borthwick produced a moment of magic to seal all three points.
The Blues started brightly and almost took the lead inside the opening minute. Jacob Coombs delivered an inviting cross into the six-yard box, where Connor Bent rose to direct his header towards the bottom corner, only to be denied by an excellent save from the Hartpury goalkeeper.
There was little time to catch a breath as Hartpury immediately threatened at the other end, forcing Toby Stainer-Reid into a brave save at his near post.
Portland continued to move the ball confidently, with Jake Streams, Bent and Brook combining well to create another promising opportunity. However, Hartpury showed they were more than capable of causing problems themselves and, in the 17th minute, Stainer-Reid produced a stunning acrobatic stop to tip a powerful effort over the crossbar following a short corner routine.
The Blues gradually began to take control and came agonisingly close to opening the scoring on 23 minutes. Jamie Cleaver capitalised on a midfield mistake before threading a perfectly weighted pass through to Patrick Jenkins, whose effort narrowly missed the bottom corner.
Jenkins went close again on 37 minutes, heading just wide from Archie Woolford’s cross as Portland continued to push for the breakthrough. A driving run from Jenkins shortly afterwards also earned the Blues a free kick in a dangerous position, but neither side could find a way through before the interval.
The teams went in level at the break, with both goalkeepers having played their part in an entertaining opening 45 minutes.
Hartpury threatened early in the second half, but Stainer-Reid was once again equal to the task, producing an important save on 54 minutes as he bravely gathered the ball at the feet of an advancing forward.
Just two minutes later, Portland finally made their pressure count. A ball was lofted into the Hartpury penalty area and, following an awkward bounce, struck the post before rebounding into play. Harley Brook reacted quickest, showing excellent anticipation to get to the loose ball first and turn it into the net from close range.
It may not have been the prettiest goal of the afternoon, but there was certainly nothing wrong with the celebrations as the Blues finally had the lead their efforts deserved.
Ben Morris was introduced from the bench in place of Woolford and quickly made his presence felt. On 70 minutes, Jake Streams released Morris down the left flank, and the substitute unleashed a fierce effort across goal which was comfortably held by the Hartpury goalkeeper.
But the afternoon’s standout moment was still to come.
With 73 minutes played, Greg Borthwick was introduced in place of Connor Bent and, almost before he had time to settle into the game, he delivered a moment of genuine brilliance.
Getting himself in behind the Hartpury defence, Borthwick still had plenty to do and, from outside the penalty area, produced a spectacular finish, guiding the ball magnificently into the top-right corner of the net.
It was a quite outstanding strike, leaving the visiting goalkeeper with no chance and sending the home supporters into raptures. A wonderful goal and an immediate impact from the substitute.
Portland now had a two-goal cushion and managed the closing stages impressively. Joshua Camp came close to adding a third on 80 minutes when his enticing set-piece delivery flashed across the face of goal, but no blue shirt could get the finishing touch.
Hartpury continued to search for a way back into the contest, but the Blues remained organised and disciplined, protecting their advantage and ensuring another valuable clean sheet.
When referee Thomas Kennedy brought proceedings to a close, Portland could celebrate another thoroughly deserved three points.
There were plenty of positives to take from the afternoon, not least another excellent contribution from Stainer-Reid between the posts, Brook’s opportunistic opener and, of course, Borthwick’s spectacular finish.
Two goals, a clean sheet and consecutive victories. The Blues will take plenty of confidence from another encouraging afternoon at the Camp & Satherley Stadium.
FULL-TIME: PORTLAND UNITED 2-0 HARTPURY
Goals: Brook (56), Borthwick (74).
Portland United: Stainer-Reid, Coombs, Streams, Cleaver, Gadsby, Brook, Williams (C), Bent, Jenkins, Woolford, Corbridge.
Substitutes: Camp, Morris, Scott, Borthwick, Peach.
Hartpury: Locke, Ewing, Robinson, Walters, Kent (C), Davies, Manning, Jenkins, Preston, Coates, Aldridge.
Substitutes: McGregor, Hyett, Sanniola, Callow, Symons.
Referee: Thomas Kennedy
