Image: Dave Wagner

Match Report: Dave Ring

Portland United 2 – 0 Brockenhurst
Camp & Satherley Stadium, Portland – 3:00pm Kick-off

On a cool autumn afternoon with a gentle breeze sweeping across the Royal Manor of Portland, conditions were ideal for football. A decent crowd gathered at the Camp & Satherley Stadium to watch Portland United take on Brockenhurst in what promised to be a competitive league fixture.

The opening stages saw both sides battling for control in midfield, with neither team able to carve out clear chances. Portland gradually began to settle, moving the ball better and asking questions of the visitors’ defence.

In the 34th minute, that man Greg Borthwick, the league’s leading scorer – once again delivered for the Blues. A well-timed run and tidy finish gave him his ninth goal of the season, putting Portland 1–0 up and rewarding the home side’s growing pressure.

The match never really developed into a flowing spectacle, often becoming scrappy with loose passes and interruptions breaking the rhythm. Brockenhurst worked hard to get back into the game but struggled to test the Portland defence, who stayed organised and dealt with most threats before they developed.

As the game edged into its closing stages, the visitors pushed men forward in search of an equaliser, leaving gaps at the back. In the 88th minute, Portland were awarded a penalty after a late challenge in the box. Up stepped Remus Nixon, who kept his composure and slotted calmly into the bottom left corner, beating keeper Jordi Valceromiret and sealing the points at 2–0.

Managerial changes played their part during the afternoon. Connor Callow replaced Jamie Symes early, coming on in the 31st minute, while Borthwick, Josh Williams and Josh Camp made way for Marcus Smith, Jamie Cleaver and James Coat just after the hour mark, freshening legs as Portland looked to see out the result.

All in all, while not a classic, Portland did enough to deserve their win – a solid, professional performance that keeps momentum going. Attention now turns to their next challenge: a tricky away trip to Hythe & Dibden on Saturday 13th September, where they will look to put right an early-season FA Cup defeat (3–1) at the same venue.

Portland United:
Harry Foden, Jacob Coobs, Callum Corbridge, Hayden Scott, Jamie Symes, Sam Gadsby, Patrick Jenkins, Josh Williams (C), Greg Borthwick, Remus Nixon, Josh Camp.

Substitutes:
Connor Callow, Tom Peach, James Coat, Jamie Cleaver, Marcus Smith

Brockenhurst:
Jordi Valero Miret, Jamie Burgess, Jack Tornianien, Sam Steel (C), Liam McFarlane, Henry Brooks, Luke Gray, Freddie Beale, Marcelo Rossi, Dilan Walker,

Substitutes:
Brandon Channell, Dan Dwyer, Omarion Mason, Kian Dugdale.

Match Officials:
Referee – Louis Stone -WEYMOUTH
Assistant 1 – Joshua Mccomish – BROADSTONE
Assistant 2 – Benjamin Taylor – YEOVIL
Observer- Mark James