Image: Greg Borthwick calmly slots home from the spot.
Match Report: Dave Ring
Portland United 2 – 0 Sherborne Town
Camp & Satherley Stadium – Tuesday 7:45pm KO
On a warm, still August evening under the glow of the Camp & Satherley Stadium floodlights, Portland United put in a confident, disciplined display to brush aside Sherborne Town and claim all three points.
The opening stages were a cagey affair with both sides probing for an early breakthrough. Chances came and went at either end, but neither team could find the cutting edge to break the deadlock before the interval.
The second half, however, belonged to the Blues. Just three minutes after the restart, defender Callum Corbridge popped up in the danger zone, meeting a pinpoint cross with precision to steer the ball home and send the home crowd into raptures.
Barely five minutes later, the Zebras’ uphill task became a mountain. A Portland attack drew a foul in the box and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Greg Borthwick, ice-cool under pressure, stepped up and slotted his penalty low to the keeper’s right, doubling the advantage and underlining the Blues’ grip on the game.
Manager Kyle Critchell used the cushion to rotate his side, introducing Jamie Cleaver, Connor Callow, Liam Sayers, and Tom Peach in place of Jamie Symes, Greg Borthwick, Josh Camp, and James Coat. The fresh legs ensured the home side stayed on the front foot, controlling possession and dictating the tempo until the final whistle.
By the end, there was no doubt who deserved the spoils. Portland United’s solid defending, clinical finishing, and sharp game management secured a deserved 2-0 victory and kept the Camp & Satherley faithful smiling long after the lights went out.
The Blues should be in confident mood when they welcome league newcomers Bemerton Heath Harlequins next Saturday to the Camp & Satherley Stadium.
Man of the Match: Hayden Scott – a stoic, commanding presence in midfield, breaking up play and driving the Blues forward.
Line-Ups
Portland United: Harry Foden, Jacob Coombs, Callum Corbridge, Hayden Scott, Sam Gadsby, Jamie Symes, James Coat, Josh Williams (C), Greg Borthwick, Josh Camp, Pat Jenkins, Connor Callow – Jamie Cleaver, Tom Peach, Marcus Smith, Liam Sayers.
Sherborne Town: Josh Attwood, Jaydon Biss, George Mapletoft (C), Blake Watts, Josh Williams, Brad Shapharp, Sam Farthing, Harvey Wade, George Geraghty, Declan Cornish – Oliver Hughes, Oliver Hebbard, Aaron White, Ben Wood, Louis Parker.
