Image: Michelle Carr

Match Report: Mark Coleman

Dorset Premier League | Saturday 5th September 2026
Camp & Satherly Stadium

Portland United Reserves welcomed local rivals Balti Sports to the Camp & Satherley Stadium on Saturday, with the visitors arriving in confident form following a strong start to their Dorset Premier League campaign.

With sunny conditions and a good crowd in attendance, both sides settled into an entertaining contest from the opening whistle.

Balti made the brighter start and took the lead following a well-worked move, with in-form Taylor Brown finishing confidently to put the visitors 1–0 ahead.

Portland responded positively and began creating opportunities of their own. After several close attempts, their pressure finally paid off in the 24th minute. Joe Waring delivered a superb cross into the box, finding the hard-working Preston Hepburn, who rose to head the ball home and level the score at 1–1.

The game continued at a good pace, with both teams battling for control. Balti worked hard during the following ten minutes and were rewarded in the 33rd minute when Callum Stanton found the back of the net to restore the visitors’ advantage.

Half-time: Portland United Reserves 1–2 Balti Sports

Portland came out strongly after the break and were rewarded for their positive start in the 50th minute. Portland Under-18 striker Cory Roy showed composure in front of goal, slipping the ball past Balti goalkeeper Jacob English to bring Portland level once again at 2–2.

The momentum continued to swing between the two local sides, with Balti soon responding with another spell of pressure. Their efforts paid off in the 56th minute, when Sports found the winning goal to make it 3–2.

Portland pushed hard in search of another equaliser and continued to battle until the final whistle, but Balti held firm to claim the points.

It was a competitive and well-worked local derby, with both teams contributing to an entertaining afternoon of football. Portland will be disappointed to come away on the losing side after twice battling back to level the score, but there were plenty of positives to take from the performance.

Full-time: Portland United Reserves 2–3 Balti Sports