Image: Michelle Carr.
Match Report: Dave Ring.
Portland United 3–2 Laverstock & Ford
Tuesday 21st October, Camp and Satherley Stadium (7:45pm)
Portland United survived a tense second half scare to claim all three points at the Camp and Satherley Stadium, edging out Laverstock & Ford 3-2 on a night that started in total control and ended in fingernail chewing anxiety.
The Blues came flying out of the blocks, playing with tempo, purpose and attacking swagger. Their early dominance was rewarded in just the 13th minute when Remus Nixon broke the deadlock, finishing coolly to give the hosts the perfect start.
Laverstock struggled to live with Portland’s first half intensity, and Nixon wasn’t done. On 39 minutes he struck again, stepping up with confidence to double the lead and tighten the Blues’ grip on the contest.
As the half slipped into stoppage time, there was still room for more drama. A set piece delivery caused chaos in the Lavvy penalty area and defender Callum Corbridge reacted quickest, crashing the ball home to make it 3–0 at the break. Portland walked off to warm applause, fully deserving of their commanding half time cushion.
Manager Kyle Critchell made a change at the interval, introducing Hayden Scott for the tireless Greg Borthwick, but the second half was a very different story.
Just five minutes after the restart, the Blues’ composure wavered as an unfortunate own goal handed the visitors a lifeline. Suddenly, belief surged through the Laverstock ranks, and Portland found themselves under pressure for the first time in the match.
When Chae Sykes struck in the 58th minute to make it 3-2, nerves rippled around the ground. What had looked like a cruise was fast becoming a battle of will, focus and resilience. Critchell turned to his bench late on, with Peach replacing Husher, Smith on for Camp, and recent signing Euan Joyce made his second appearance for the Blues, coming on in stoppage time in the 96th minute to replace Hayden Scott as Portland fought to close out the game
The final minutes were tense, frantic and uncomfortable, but the Blues showed the grit that has been building in recent weeks. Throw ins were contested like goals. Clearances were cheered like winners. And when the full-time whistle finally shrieked across the Camp, Portland had held on.
Full Time, Portland United 3-2 Laverstock & Ford
The result lifts the Blues to 7th place in the Velocity Wessex Premier League, and while it wasn’t pretty in the second half, the three points were all that mattered.
Next up, Portland hit the road to face Downton, who currently sit 14th. With momentum building, the Blues will be determined to tighten the screws, cut out the nerves, and continue their climb.
