Image: Michelle Carr
Match Report: Dave Ring
Portland United Reserves 3–2 Balti Sports
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Senior Trophy – Saturday 15th November, 2:00pm
Camp & Satherley Stadium
Portland United Reserves kicked off the first part of their double-header against local rivals Balti Sports with a hard-fought 3–2 win, securing their place in the quarter-finals and a tough away trip to Blandford United. They’ll meet Balti again next Saturday, this time in the league, for what now promises to be an even spicier rematch.
The hosts exploded out of the blocks. With barely a minute on the clock, Greg Borthwick buried the opener after reacting quickest in the box. Portland kept the pressure on, and on 30 minutes Borthwick struck again with a sharp finish that doubled the lead and underlined their early dominance.
Balti didn’t fold. They forced their way back into the contest before half-time, capitalising on a lapse at the back to cut the deficit and change the tone of the match.
Portland refreshed things at the break, bringing on Josh Hanger for Ellis Moles, Sonny Cleeton for Joe Wareing, Ash Warwick for Josh Grace, and Billy Hathway for two-goal Borthwick in the 60th minute. The reshuffle didn’t break the rhythm, but Balti came out determined and eventually levelled, turning the tie into a straight shootout.
The breakthrough finally came with 15 minutes left. Cleeton, who had been lively since coming on, pounced on a loose ball and hammered in what proved to be the winner. Portland made one final change soon after, with Cameron Squibb replacing Hathway to help steady things as Balti pushed for another equaliser.
Haydn Payne led by example at the back, Foden stayed switched on in goal, and the team dug in to close out a hard-earned victory. It wasn’t perfect, but it was deserved, and it sets up a cracking return fixture next weekend.
Line-up:
Harry Foden, Haydn Payne (c), Ellis Moles, Tyler Butcher, Ash Smith, Josh Grace, Adam Rodgers, Callum Norman, Greg Borthwick, Joe Wareing, Preston Hepburn
Substitutes:
Josh Hanger, Billy Hathway, Sonny Cleeton, Cameron Squibb, Ash Warwick.
Match Referee: Rob Nobbs.
