Image: Dave Wagner.
Match Report: Dave Ring.
Downton FC 1–3 Portland United
Saturday 25th October – The Birds Nest (3:00pm)
Portland United arrived in Salisbury flying high after their midweek victory over Laverstock & Ford, and they left with wings fully spread, having delivered a statement performance that screamed grit, dominance, and sheer quality.
The Blues came out the blocks fast, in full control of possession and tempo, but were floored by an almighty early setback. Just nine minutes in, striker Greg Borthwick saw red, two yellow cards in the space of two chaotic minutes. Down to ten men with more than 80 minutes left to play? Most sides crumble. Portland United did the opposite.
The dismissal only ignited the fire.
On 25 minutes, justice, and a deserved lead arrived. A trademark pinpoint corner was whipped in with menace, and up rose captain of the skies Jason Coombs, towering above the Downton defence to power a header past Ross Casey. 0–1 and fully deserved.
Downton, who had offered little, struck back on 35 minutes when captain Ryan Osman blasted in a long-range effort that skipped beyond the reach of the diving Harry Foden. A rare moment of threat, and harsh on the Blues. 1–1 at the break.
HT: 1–1
The second half began as the first had ended: Portland dominant, composed, and relentless, as though they, not Downton, had the extra man. That superiority was finally rewarded on 65 minutes. Remus Nixon picked his spot and unleashed an absolute thunderbolt, a strike that ripped into the net and restored Portland’s advantage in spectacular style. 1–2, momentum fully Blue.
The only change of the day came on 75 minutes, with the industrious Josh Camp making way for fresh legs in Euan Joyce. The impact was immediate, a minute later, the Robins were finished. Coombs, already commanding the game, picked the ball up in midfield, slalomed through bodies like a man possessed, and coolly slid home his second of the afternoon. A mazy run, a clinical finish, and a 1–3 scoreline that told the truth of the match.
From there, Downton were done. Portland shut the game down with maturity and swagger, keeping the ball, controlling the pace, and allowing not even a sniff of a comeback. For a side playing with ten men for 81 minutes, it was a masterclass in desire, and dominance.
FT: Downton 1–3 Portland United — a statement win, and a flawless team performance.
The result leaves the Blues unbeaten in October and bursting with confidence ahead of next Saturday’s clash at the Camp & Satherley Stadium, where they host bottom side New Milton Town.
Downton: Ross Casey, James Clark, Sam Bradford, Liam Farrugia, Ryan Osman (C), Sam Davidson, Tom Farnsworth, Ethan Fishlock, Ronan Moore, Luke Delaney, Harry McGrath,
Substitutes: Zach Earley, Lerone Plummer, Connor Ford, Artem Mosiakin, James Mather
Portland United: Harry Foden, Jacob Coombs, George Stuttle, Jamie Cleaver, Sam Gadsby, Callum Corbridge, Patrick Jenkins, Scott Hayden, Greg Borthwick, Remus Nixon, Josh Camp (C).
Substitutes: Euan Joyce, Tom Peach, Harvey Davies, Sonny Cleeton, Liam Sayers.
