Image: Paul Knight

Match Report: Dave Ring

Petersfield Town 1 – 0 Portland United
Velocity Wessex Premier League, Smartspaces Stadium – Saturday 28th September, 3:00pm

Portland United travelled to the Smartspaces Stadium on Saturday to face Petersfield Town, just 48 hours after their gruelling midweek cup tie at Colden Common. Despite the short turnaround, the Blues put in a performance full of determination and spirit, though ultimately undone by a single moment of brilliance.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested, with both sides trading possession and chances but neither able to assert dominance. On 20 minutes, however, the game produced its decisive moment. The ball dropped to Petersfield’s number 2 Kian Towse some 25 yards from goal, and he unleashed an unstoppable strike that flew beyond the diving Harry Foden. It was the kind of goal that will surely feature in the conversation for ‘goal of the season’, and it proved the difference between the two sides.

The first half closed with the hosts holding a slender 1-0 advantage, and the second half began in much the same fashion, open, competitive, but without either side taking control. Portland pressed and probed, yet the Rams’ back line stood firm and restricted the visitors to half chances.

Manager Kyle Critchell looked to his bench to change the game, introducing Remus Nixon for Greg Borthwick and James Coat for Archie Woolbridge on 65 minutes, followed by Ben Moss for the hard working George Stuttle seven minutes later, and finally Hayden Scott replaced assistant manager Jamie Symes as the Blues pushed for a late equaliser. The fresh legs injected energy and urgency, but despite their efforts, the Rams’ defence proved unyielding.

As the final whistle blew, Portland was left to reflect on a match where only an extraordinary long-range effort had separated the teams. Considering the quick turnaround and the physical toll of Thursday night’s fixture, the Blues showed character, resilience, and a togetherness that bodes well for the weeks ahead.

Next up, Portland return home to face Bournemouth Poppies, a side sitting four places below them in the table – a chance to build on the positives from this battling display.

Petersfield Town: Ellis Grant, Kian Towse, Charlie Merritt, Jack Farrierr, Brandon Miller, Tom Dinsmore, Liam Kimber (c), Harrison Cable, Will Web Rob Tupway.

Substitutes: Asad Ssemwogerere, Toby Veales, Miles Everett, Rocco Gamblin.

Portland United: Harry Foden, Sam Gadsby, George Stuttle, Jacob Coombs, Callum Corbridge,, Archie Woolford, Josh Williams (c), Greg Borthwickr, Josh Camp, Patrick Jenkins,

Substitutes: Remus Nixon, Hayden Scott, Ben Moss, James Coat, Jamie Cleaver.