Image: Courtesy of PUFC Community Champion Michelle Carr
Match Report: Dave Ring
Portland United 6 – 1 Bemerton Heath Harlequins
Wessex Premier League – Saturday 16th August 2025, 3:00pm
Camp & Satherley Stadium, Portland
Portland United produced a commanding display at the Camp & Satherley Stadium on a warm August afternoon, easing past Bemerton Heath Harlequins with an emphatic 6–1 victory in the Wessex Premier League.
The visitors, who voluntarily stepped down from the Southern League despite securing a play-off place last season due to financial pressures, arrived on the Royal Manor of Portland expected to provide a stern test. But after an early setback, the Blues rose to the challenge in style.
The game opened brightly, with both sides trading early chances, before Bemerton made the breakthrough on 29 minutes. A scrappy passage of play ended with the ball ricocheting off goalkeeper Harry Foden and a defender, falling kindly to James Patrick McSorley. The Harlequins forward reacted sharply, slotting home from a tight angle to put the visitors in front.
Portland responded instantly. Manager Kyle Critchell made an early tactical switch, replacing James Coat with Archie Woolford, and the impact was immediate. Within a minute, Josh Camp levelled the scores with a composed finish that left the Bemerton keeper rooted.
The Blues quickly turned the contest on its head. On 37 minutes, the referee pointed to the spot after a handball in the box, a decision that left Bemerton frustrated. Greg Borthwick showed no hesitation, rifling home the penalty to give Portland the lead. The hosts were now in full flow, and their dominance was rewarded on the stroke of half-time when Camp struck again to make it 3–1 at the interval.
The second half followed a similar pattern, Portland dictating play with confidence and intensity. Ten minutes after the restart, Borthwick grabbed his second of the game, latching onto Pat Jenkins’ perfectly weighted through ball and finishing clinically to extend the advantage.
Critchell used the cushion to rotate his squad, making a triple change just after the hour mark, with Connor Callow, Marcus Smith and Remus Nixon entering the fray. Further changes followed as Tom Peach replaced the industrious Woolford, but the Blues continued to press forward.
On 84 minutes, Camp capped a fine individual performance with a superb free-kick, curling the ball beyond the keeper to complete his hat-trick and stretch the lead to 5–1. Bemerton, to their credit, battled hard to reduce the deficit, but their afternoon worsened two minutes later when they conceded a second penalty after a late challenge in the box. This time Pat Jenkins took responsibility, coolly dispatching the spot-kick to seal a resounding 6–1 triumph.
It was a statement win for Portland United, highlighting attacking flair, defensive resilience after the early wobble, and excellent game management. With confidence high, the Blues will look to carry their momentum into Tuesday night’s short away trip to Hamworthy Recreation.
Player of the Match and hattrick hero: Josh Camp.
Portland United F.C.
Harry Foden, Jacob Coombs, Callum Corbridge, Haydon Scott, Sam Gadsby, Jamie Symes, James Coat, Josh Williams (c), Greg Borthwick, Josh Camp, Pat Jenkins.
Substitutes: Connor Callow, Tom Peach, Marcus Smith, Archie Woolford, Remus Nixon.
Bemerton Heath Harlequins
Harry Dillon, Connor Ings, Mak Andrews, Matt Gunstone Gray, Archie Downes, Sam O’Hagan, Ethan Trigwell, Alfie Hawke, James McSorley, Ryan Scott (c), Morgan Harvey.
Substitutes: Matt Devereux, Will Harries, Ethan Daubney, Naman Gaurung, Hugo Rawlings.
Match Officials
Referee: Norbert Varszegi
Assistant Referees: Chris Sheppard, Jason Coombs
