Image: Michelle Carr.

Match Report: Dave Ring

Portland United 3-3 Downton
Tuesday 10th March 2026, 7:45pm
Camp & Satherley Stadium
Attendance, 125

Portland United were forced to settle for a share of the spoils after an absorbing six-goal thriller against Downton at the Camp & Satherley Stadium on a damp, windswept evening, with conditions proving tricky at times for both sides.

The visitors made the brighter start and struck first after just four minutes when former professional striker Brett Pitman fired the Robins into an early lead.

Portland responded in perfect fashion and were level within four minutes. Remus Nixon raced through on goal on eight minutes and calmly finished to bring the Blues back on terms.

The hosts were now firmly in the ascendancy and completed the turnaround on 14 minutes. A well-delivered ball into the box was met by Callum Corbridge, who rose highest to power a header home and give Portland a 2–1 advantage.

Portland continued to press forward, and they extended their lead just before the interval. On 44 minutes Nixon struck again, finishing smartly to claim his second of the night and send the Blues into the break with a commanding 3–1 lead.

Downton looked to change the momentum after the restart, while Portland introduced Kriss Radivojsa on the hour mark in place of Greg Borthwick.

The visitors gradually worked their way back into the contest and reduced the deficit on 70 minutes when Pitman struck again to make it 3–2 and set up a tense final twenty minutes.

Downton’s comeback was completed ten minutes later. A penalty was awarded to the visitors on 80 minutes and Pitman stepped up to convert from the spot, completing his hat-trick and levelling the scores at 3–3.

Despite both sides pushing for a winner in the closing stages, neither could find a decisive breakthrough, and the points were ultimately shared after a dramatic evening under the floodlights.

MOM: Remus Nixon (Sponsored by Vic Holland)

Final Score: Portland United 3, Downton 3.

Portland United: Smalley, Coombs, Corbridge, Cleaver, Gadsby, Scott, Morris, Williams (C), Borthwick, Nixon, Jenkins.
Substitutes: Delves, Norman, Camp, Symes, Radivojsa.

Downton: Casey, Clark, Griggs, Beard, Davidson (C), Satterley, Pitman, Balmer, Delaney, McGrath, Moore.
Substitutes: Bradford, Davies, Bertie, Farrugia, Copp.