Image: Michelle Carr

Match Report: Dave Ring

Portland United 6–1 Cowes Sports
Velocity Wessex Premier League
Saturday 7th February 2026, (3:00pm)
Camp & Satherley Stadium
Attendance, 165

On a day when the weather wiped out every other fixture in the Velocity Wessex Premier League, Portland United seized their moment and made sure the spotlight was firmly on the Camp & Satherley Stadium with a ruthless 6–1 dismantling of Cowes Sports.

With heavy rain and postponements elsewhere, there was no room for hesitation and Portland United came flying out of the blocks. Archie Woolford struck twice in the first half, opening the scoring on 24 minutes before doubling his tally on 38, both goals arriving after sustained pressure that Cowes struggled to live with.

George Stuttle added further gloss on 29 minutes with a well taken finish, and just when Cowes were desperate to hear the half-time whistle, Sam Gadsby delivered a hammer blow in stoppage time to send the Blues into the break four goals to the good and in total control.

Cowes did show some fight after the restart and briefly threatened to turn the tide when George Colson pulled a goal back on 56 minutes. For a moment, there was a hint of uncertainty around the ground.

Any thoughts of a comeback were extinguished almost immediately. Three minutes later, Greg Borthwick restored order for the hosts with a decisive strike on 59 minutes, ripping the momentum straight back out of Cowes’ hands.

From there, Portland managed the game with authority, introducing fresh legs and keeping the pressure on. Substitute Ben Morris put the final seal on a dominant afternoon with a goal on 80 minutes, capping a performance that was as clinical as it was commanding.

While the rest of the league programme succumbed to the weather, Portland United were left standing alone, delivering a statement win that will echo around the Velocity Wessex League long after the rain has cleared.

FT: Portland United 6-1 Cowes Sports

Portland United: Gregory Borthwick, Jamie Cleaver, Jacob Coombs, Callum Corbridge, Jack Delves, Sam Gadsby, Patrick Jenkins, George Stuttle, Callum Smalley, Archie Woolford, Josh Williams (C).

Substitutes: Josh Camp, Euan Joyce, Ben Morris, Hayden Scott, Jamie Symes.

Cowes Sports: Jordan Browne, Callum Chase, George Colson, Jordan Cook, Harrison Dempsey, Edward Hatt, Ryan Hughes, Charlie Marsek, Jimmy Mumford, Ryan Oatley, Finley Phillips.

Substitutes: George Carter-Knight, Joseph England, Oliver Flood, Charlie Haward.