Image courtesy: Dave Wagner

Match Report: Dave Ring

Portland United FC Under 18s v Hamworthy Recreation FC Under 18s
FA Youth Cup – Wednesday 17th September, 7:45pm

Played on a wet and breezy evening on the Royal Manor in front of a crowd of 65, Portland United’s Under 18s battled their way into the next round of the FA Youth Cup with a spirited 5–3 victory over Hamworthy Recreation.

The visitors started strongly and stunned the home side by taking the lead inside four minutes. Portland worked their way back into the game and were rewarded on 37 minutes when Max Fisher produced a superb effort to level the score at 1–1.

However, Hamworthy responded quickly, regaining the lead just five minutes later and then stretching their advantage to 3–1 on 43 minutes. Portland showed real character before the interval, as Harvey Davies pulled a goal back right on the stroke of half-time to make it 2–3 at the break.

The second half began brightly for the Blues. On 54 minutes, Preston Hepburn stepped up to draw Portland level at 3–3, and barely a minute later Sonny Cleeton latched onto a well-placed pass to fire the hosts into the lead for the first time in the match, 4–3.

Manager Lee Dowdell made changes to keep the momentum going: Elson Ellis was replaced by Ellis Moles on 63 minutes, before further substitutions saw Matt James come on for Cameron Squibb and Sebastian Bobora-David replace George Ross-McKenzie in the 74th minute.

With the wind in their sails, Portland pushed on and Corey Roy struck on 83 minutes to put the result beyond doubt at 5–3. Two final substitutions came in the 90th minute, with Archie Lampard replacing Preston Hepburn and Jack Ansell coming on for Roy, allowing fresh legs to see out the contest.

The Blues managed the final moments well and the whistle confirmed an impressive 5–3 comeback win, securing their place in the next round of the FA Youth Cup.

Portland United Under 18s
Jacob English, Elson Ellis, Cameron Squibb, Max Fisher, Anthony Smith, George Ross-McKenzie, Adam Rodgers, Harvey Davies, Sonny Cleeton, Corey Roy, Preston Hepburn

Substitutes:
Archie Lampard, Samuel Gregg, Sebastian Bobora-David, Jack Ansell, Syrus Ellis, Matt James, Ellis Moles

Hamworthy Recreation Under 18s:
Jake Marvin, Lewis Gunn, Lloyd Walpol, Jake Daunt, Marley Greenwood, Elijah Chakawatha, Jack Motton, Oliver Maidment, Dylan Merciere, Martin Videnov, Jude Stevenson

Substitutes:
Archie Jordan, Lewis Valentine, Ratu Rounds, Oliver Kowalczyk, Mateusz Jurkiewicz