Image: Dave Wagner
Match Report: Dave Ring
Bemerton Heath Harlequins 0–2 Portland United
Tuesday 3rd March 2026, 7:45pm
A-Class Arena
Attendance, 118
Portland United’s charge towards the Wessex Premier League play-offs gathered further momentum on Tuesday night, as the Blues produced another composed and clinical display on the road to secure a fifth consecutive victory.
Level on points with second-placed Hamble Club after this latest success, Kyle Critchell’ s men are not just knocking on the promotion door, they are hammering at it with conviction. Five wins on the spin, another clean sheet, and a growing sense that this side is peaking at precisely the right time.
From the first whistle, Portland looked purposeful. The visitors controlled possession, pressed with intensity, and carried the greater threat. Their dominance was rewarded on 19 minutes when captain Josh Williams stepped up to lead by example. Spotting space from distance, he unleashed a superb strike that flew beyond the reach of the home goalkeeper and into the net. It was a goal worthy of breaking any deadlock and it gave the Blues a deserved advantage.
The evening was momentarily overshadowed midway through the first half when George Stuttle suffered a nasty injury. Play was halted for nine minutes as medical staff treated the defender before Haydon Scott was introduced on 31 minutes. The enforced change disrupted the rhythm, but Portland remained composed and saw out the remainder of the half in control, taking a 1–0 lead into the interval.
The second half resumed in much the same fashion, with the Blues dictating the tempo and limiting Bemerton to half-chances at best. The back line stood firm, the midfield screened intelligently, and the work rate across the pitch was relentless.
On 68 minutes, Critchell turned to his bench to inject fresh energy. Remus Nixon replaced Greg Borthwick, new signing Kriss Radivojsa came on for Pat Jenkins, and Euan Joyce took the place of Jack Delves. The changes sharpened Portland’s edge rather than merely maintaining it.
With eight minutes remaining, the pressure finally told. Jamie Cleaver latched onto an opportunity and finished with authority to double the lead and effectively seal the points. It was a goal that summed up Portland’s night, efficient, decisive, and delivered at the crucial moment.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Jamie Symes replaced the tireless Callum Corbridge to help see the game out. The final whistle confirmed another assured away performance and another important three points.
Five straight wins. Another clean sheet. Promotion ambitions alive and roaring.
The Blues are not fading, they are flying.
Bemerton Heath Harlequins: Knight, Ingram, Hanley, Reynolds, Matthews, Andrews, Kapend, Hawke, Ihnatenko, Covill, Griffiths,
Substitutes: Scott, Burke, Skelly, Trigwell, Harries
Portland United: Smalley, Coombs, Stuttle, Cleaver, Gadsby, Corbridge, Jenkins, Williams (C), Borthwick, Delves, Morris,
Substitutes: Scott, Radivojsa, Nixon, Joyce, Symes
