Match Report: Dave Ring.
Shaftesbury 3-4 Portland United
Dorset Senior Cup, Tuesday 9th December, 7:45pm
Cockrams Stadium, Shaftesbury
On a wet, blustery evening in North Dorset, Portland United made the short trip to Cockrams Stadium to take on higher-league Shaftesbury in the second round of the Dorset Senior Cup. With six or seven regulars missing through injuries and other absences, the odds looked stacked against the Blues. But what a response they produced.
Portland flew out of the blocks and on 15 minutes Jason Coombs climbed above everyone to bury a superb header from a pinpoint cross, putting the Blues 1-0 up. The visitors looked sharper, hungrier, and more committed throughout the first half, and although they couldn’t extend their lead before the break, they went in fully deserving their advantage.
Barely two minutes into the second half, Portland struck again. This time it was Josh Camp, timing his header perfectly as it flashed into the net to make it 2-0 and leave the home side stunned.
On 53 minutes, manager Kyle Critchell introduced Reserves midfielder Callum Norman for the experienced assistant manager Jamie Symes. The change worked a treat. Just six minutes later, Archie Woolbridge unleashed a thunderous strike that flew past Ben Taylor, a goal good enough for any Match of the Day goal of the season reel, putting Portland 3-0 up.
Another change quickly followed, with Under 18s forward Preston Hepburn replacing Pat Jenkins on the hour mark. And once again, Critchell’s decision paid off. Only five minutes later Norman capped his impact with a superbly guided header, giving Portland a stunning 4-0 lead.
Shaftesbury finally found a response on 65 minutes when substitute Jack Hoey fired home to make it 4-1. Five minutes later they struck again, suddenly dragging the scoreline back to 4-2 and cranking up the tension for the travelling supporters.
On 75 minutes, Critchell made his final change, bringing on Under 18s youngster Sonny Cleeton for the tireless Euan Joyce. Portland dug in, but in the 89th minute Shaftesbury snatched another goal to make it 4-3 and set up a nervy finale.
It was a genuine squeaky-bum time, but Portland held their nerve, defended bravely, and saw out a memorable victory.
Final score: Shaftesbury 3-4 Portland United.
A terrific result, fully earned, and a performance full of character, quality, and resilience. The Blues now head into Saturday’s league trip to the Isle of Wight, where they’ll face Cowes Sports, in buoyant spirits.
Portland United: Foden, Corbridge, Symes, Coombs, Gadsby, Cleaver, Woolford, Joyce, Jenkins, Scott, Camp
Substitutes: Hepburn, Norman, Cleeton, Critchell.
Shaftesbury: Taylor, Brown, Salt, Pike, Ward, Mundy, Krasniqi, Baker, Thomas, Jackson, Green
Substitutes: Butler, Santos, Holmes, Rayfield, Hoey.
