Match Report: Dave Ring.
Portland United Reserves 1–3 Blandford United
Camp & Satherley Stadium, Portland – 3:00pm kick-off
On a wet, blustery day at the Camp & Satherley Stadium, Portland United Reserves hosted Blandford United in what turned out to be a real test for both sides. With heavy rain quickening the surface, the game was always likely to favour the team that adapted fastest to the pace of the pitch.
Both teams started brightly, probing for the opening goal, but it was Blandford who struck first. On just 7 minutes, the Royals were awarded a free kick just outside the area. Up stepped Dan Kelly, who drilled a low, driven strike through the Portland wall and into the bottom corner, just out of reach of Blues goalkeeper Alfie Watts. The early setback left Portland chasing the game, and although there were half-chances at both ends, neither side managed to add to the score before the break. The first half ended with Blandford holding a slender 1–0 advantage.
The second half followed a similar pattern, end-to-end football with both teams looking to seize control. Portland came out with renewed energy and got the perfect start. Just four minutes after the restart, Kai Kilcoyne latched onto a neat through ball and kept his composure to slot a low shot under the diving Blandford keeper, drawing the Blues level at 1–1 and sparking fresh life into the contest.
But parity didn’t last long. Barely three minutes later, a defensive mix-up in the Portland penalty area left Watts scrambling. The loose ball fell kindly for Elliott Manson, who reacted quickest, tapping into an unguarded net to restore Blandford’s lead at 1–2.
The Royals weren’t finished. On 52 minutes, Manson struck again, timing his run perfectly to latch onto another precise through ball before driving a low effort under the keeper to make it 1–3. From there, despite plenty of endeavour from the Blues, Blandford managed the game well, using the slick surface to their advantage and keeping Portland at arm’s length until the final whistle.
In the end, Blandford United’s ability to exploit the conditions proved decisive, leaving Portland United Reserves frustrated on home turf. The result keeps the Blues hovering just above the bottom of the table, one place off the foot of the standings on goal difference and leaves them with plenty to work on ahead of another tough test.
Next up, Portland Reserves travel to Raleigh Grove on Saturday 6th September, where they face Sherborne Town Reserves in what promises to be another challenging encounter.
