Match Preview by: Dave Ring.
Hamble Club v Portland United
Wessex League Premier Division
Hamble Community Stadium
Tuesday 17th March 7:45pm
Portland United travel to the Hamble Community Facility on Tuesday evening to take on Hamble Club in the Wessex League Premier Division, with kick off scheduled for 7:45pm.
The Blues currently sit third in the league table, just two points behind Hamble Club, meaning a victory on Tuesday night would see Portland move above their hosts.
The Blues will be looking to gain revenge after the reverse fixture earlier in the season. When the sides met at the start of the campaign on 9th August, Hamble Club came away with a 2–0 victory on Portland. However, the last time the Blues won a league match against Hamble Club was way back on Saturday 13th April 2024.
Hamble head into the match in solid form and will provide a stern challenge. Their last five matches have produced three wins, one draw and one defeat. Most recently they earned a 1–1 draw away at Laverstock & Ford, but before that they recorded an impressive 4–1 home victory over Brockenhurst and a 2–1 win against Andover New Street. They also showed their attacking strength in the Velocity Wessex League Cup with a convincing 6–2 away win at Baffins Milton Rovers. Their only defeat in that run came away at East Cowes Victoria, where they were beaten 2–0.
With Hamble scoring freely in recent weeks, Portland will know they must be disciplined at the back while looking to take their chances when they come. Evening matches under the lights at Hamble are rarely straightforward, and the home side will be eager to continue their strong run of form.
For Portland United, the trip represents another important test in the closing stages of the season. A positive result would avenge the earlier defeat earlier in the campaign while also providing a valuable boost in the race near the top of the table.
Supporters travelling to Hampshire can expect an entertaining contest between two sides capable of producing goals, as Portland look to upset a Hamble side currently enjoying a strong spell of results.
