Image: Michelle Carr. PUFC Community Champion

Match Report by: Dave Ring.

Camp & Satherley Stadium, Portland – Saturday 9th August, (3:00pm)

Portland United fell to a 2–0 home defeat against a well-drilled Hamble Club side on a sweltering afternoon at the Camp & Satherley Stadium.

With the sun beating down and a stiff breeze swirling across the Island, both teams came flying out of the traps. Tackles were sharp, passes were crisp, and neither side gave an inch in a tense opening spell.

But on 34 minutes, the visitors struck. The tireless Charles Wagstaff found a pocket of space and rifled a low shot beyond Harry Foden to put the Monks 1–0 up. The Blues responded with waves of pressure, but Hamble’s defence held firm to see out the half.

After the break, the game remained tight and tense. Portland boss Kyle Critchell looked to change the flow, making a double substitution on 65 minutes, Jamie Symes replacing the lively Josh Camp, and Jamie Cleaver coming on for Marcus Smith.

Then came the killer blow. In the 76th minute, a rare lapse at the back saw a stray pass pounced on by Braydon Douglas, who rounded Foden and somehow squeezed the ball home from an almost impossible angle. 2–0, and the task became mountain-like.

Critchell threw on the experienced Liam Sayers late on to try and spark a comeback, but the Monks’ rearguard was unshakeable. No matter what Portland threw at them, Hamble stood strong until the final whistle.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Blues, plenty of endeavour, but no way through a disciplined Hamble backline. The Monks, meanwhile, head home with a classic away performance: hard work, organisation, and ruthless finishing.