Image: Courtesy Dave Wagner.

Match Report: Dave Ring.

Portland United v Downton – Velocity Wessex League Cup
Tuesday 26th August, 7:45pm – Camp & Satherley Stadium

Portland United stormed into the next round of the Velocity Wessex League Cup with a convincing 3–0 triumph over Downton under the Camp & Satherley lights on Tuesday evening. The Blues were in ruthless mood, their frontline once again delivering the goods.

The breakthrough came on 20 minutes when Pat Jenkins, outstanding all night, latched onto a neat move and calmly slotted home to send the home crowd into early celebration. Portland carried that edge through to half-time, looking every bit in control.

If Downton harboured hopes of turning things around, they were dashed almost immediately after the restart. Barely a few minutes had passed before Remus Nixon pounced, rifling home Portland’s second and tightening the Blues’ grip on the tie.

With the Blues in command, boss Kyle Critchell rang the changes just after the hour mark. Kai Kilcoyne, a reserves team player stepping up to senior duty, replaced Jenkins, while James Coat came on for Jason Coombs in the 62nd minute.

The switch that stole the headlines, however, came in the 69th minute as goal machine Greg Borthwick replaced Nixon. Barely three minutes later, Borthwick underlined his reputation by smashing home Portland’s third in the 72nd minute – his eighth goal of the campaign and the strike that put the contest to bed.

There was still time for the next generation to get a taste of cup action, as promising youngster Ben Moss replaced Josh Camp in the 73rd minute to gain more valuable minutes in the first-team shirt.

The victory sets up a mouth-watering tie away to Colden Common in the next round, scheduled for Thursday 11th September (7:45pm)

Portland have a free weekend on Saturday 30th August due to other sides being involved in FA Cup and league fixtures. Attention then turns to league action back at the Camp & Satherley on Saturday 6th September (3pm), when Brockenhurst make the trip to the Royal Manor of Portland. The Badgers currently sit bottom of the table and are still searching for their first win of the campaign, though they face Millbrook next weekend and could well break their duck before visiting Portland

Line-ups

Portland United:
Harry Foden, Jacob Coombs, Connor Callow (c), Haydon Scott, Jamie Cleaver, Sam Gadsby, Archie Woolford, Marcus Smith, Remus Nixon, Pat Jenkins, Josh Camp.
Subs: James Coat, Ben Moss, Greg Borthwick, Kai Kilcoyne. Callum Corbridge.

Downton:
Max Frampton, Tommy Nelson, Sam Bradford, Cameron Beard, Ryan Osman (c), Sam Davidson, Archie Whitfield, Ethan Fishlock, Ilya Jhnatenko, Luke Delaney, Zack Earley, Artem Mosiakin.
Subs: Jake Fletcher, Owen Haviland, George Ashby.

Match Officials:
Referee – Steven Gilbert
Assistant Referees – Mark Sers, Robert Nobbs

Player of the match: Pat Jenkins