Image: Dave Wagner.

Match Report: Dave Ring

Portland United 3–3 Millbrook
Velocity Wessex Premier League – Saturday 22nd November, 3:00pm
Camp & Satherley Stadium

Portland United produced a stirring late comeback to rescue a point in a six-goal thriller against Millbrook in the Velocity Wessex Premier League.

Heavy rain overnight and throughout the day left the pitch sodden, but the surface held firm, and the referee declared it playable. What followed was a contest full of drama, momentum swings, and a last-gasp equaliser that had the home crowd on their feet.

Millbrook raced into a commanding lead inside the opening half-hour. Geoff Dunn opened the scoring in the 7th minute, before Scott Hills doubled the advantage midway through the half. Just three minutes later, Ryan Batley added a third, leaving Portland stunned and trailing 0–3.

The Blues found a lifeline on the half-hour mark when Greg Borthwick struck to reduce the deficit, giving the hosts hope as they went into the break at 1–3.

Portland improved after the interval, with manager Kyle Critchell making decisive changes. Josh Camp and new signing Jack Delves were introduced on 55 minutes, and Euan Joyce followed shortly after. The substitutions injected fresh energy, and on 76 minutes the Portland captain Josh Williams pulled another goal back to make it 2–3.

With time running out, Millbrook looked set to leave with all three points. But deep into stoppage time, in the 97th minute, substitute Josh Camp delivered an in-swinging corner that deceived goalkeeper Alex Walder and ended up in the net. The equaliser sparked jubilant celebrations as Portland completed an unlikely comeback.

It was far from a vintage performance, but Portland’s resilience ensured they avoided defeat and claimed a valuable point.

Final Score: Portland United 3–3 Millbrook

Portland United: Harry Foden, Jacob Coombs, George Stuttle, Hayden Scott, Sam Gadsby, Callum Corbridge, Archie Woolford, Josh Williams, Greg Borthwick, Remus Nixon, Patrick Jenkins
Substitutes: Josh Camp, Evan Joyce, Jack Delves, Jamie Symes, Callum Smalley

Millbrook: Alexander Walder, George Cole, Bobby Gorman, Ryan Batley, Tom Baker, Ben Clarke, Geoff Dunn, Yakub Ayuba, Scott Hills, Callum Drake, Joshua Ball
Substitutes: Lewis Puleo, Thomas Nelson, Craig Bryant