Image: Michelle Carr.
Match Report: Dave Ring.
Portland United 2–1 Christchurch
Velocity Wessex Premier League
Saturday 27th December – Kick-off 3:00pm
Camp & Satherley Stadium
Portland United brought the curtain down on their 2025 campaign with a hard-fought and thoroughly entertaining 2–1 victory over Christchurch FC on a bright, sunny but bitterly cold December afternoon on the Royal Manor of Portland.
Going into the final game of the year sitting 4th in the Velocity Wessex Premier League, the Blues were brimming with confidence, and they showed it from the first whistle.
With the wind firmly at their backs, Portland burst out of the traps and dominated the opening exchanges. That early pressure told after just nine minutes, when Archie Woolford opened the scoring in emphatic fashion, drilling a superb, well-placed strike from outside the box that left the Christchurch keeper with no chance. 1–0 to the Blues, and fully deserved.
Portland continued to press, moving the ball with purpose and pinning The Priory back in their own half. On 20 minutes, that dominance was rewarded again. Following a goalmouth scramble, the ball broke kindly for Greg Borthwick, who kept his composure to fire home from close range and double the advantage. 2–0, and Portland were well on top.
The Blues kept their foot on the gas for the remainder of the half, but credit to the Christchurch back line, who stood firm under sustained pressure to ensure the scoreline remained unchanged at the break.
The second half, however, told a very different story.
Whatever was said in the Christchurch dressing room clearly worked. With the wind now in their favour, The Priory came out firing and immediately put Portland on the back foot.
That pressure paid off in the 53rd minute when Lewis Freak pulled one back for the visitors. Aided by the strong breeze, a ball over the top caught the Blues’ defence out, and Freak was quickest to react. Rounding the goalkeeper with confidence, he calmly slotted home to make it 2–1, setting up a tense final period.
Sensing the momentum shift, manager Kyle Critchell moved decisively, introducing Hayden Scott for Josh Cam and Korey Andrews for Greg Borthwick on 64 minutes in an effort to regain control.
What followed was a nervy and attritional final 40 minutes. Christchurch pushed hard for an equaliser, but Portland dug deep, showing resilience, organisation, and no shortage of determination. The Blues’ back line stood tall under pressure, repelling everything thrown at them to see the game out.
At the final whistle, it was Portland United 2, Christchurch 1, a match of two very distinct halves, but on balance, the Blues just about deserved it.
A fitting way to end the year, three points secured, league position strengthened, and momentum firmly on Portland’s side heading into the new year.
FT: Portland United 2–1 Christchurch.
Portland United: Foden, Corbridge, Stuttle, Cleaver, Gadsby, Symes, Woolford, Williams (C), Borthwick, Jenkins, Camp.
Substitutes: Coombs, Scott, Andrews, Joyce, Norman.
Christchurch: Barton, Dove, Freak, Watkins (C), Gale, Hall, Neild, Freak, Jenkins, Toghill, Chipangura.
Substitutes: Fyffe, Storey, Channell, Fu, Adair-Charlton.
