COWES SPORTS 0 Portland UNITED 1 DAVID Laws marked his Portland United debut by scoring the Blues winning goal against Cowes Sports at Westwood Park.

The former Terras striker swooped with a diving header on 16 minutes to get the islanders Sydnehams Wessex League campaign off to a perfect start.

And manager Nick Preston reckons the burly Wearsider could have claimed a hat-trick had it not been for a couple of great saves and some dogged Cowes' defending.

Preston said: "We brought David to Portland to scores goals and it's great to see him off the mark so early. He and James Reeve were a real handful up front and I think both will cause plenty of problems for defences over the coming months.

"David took his chance really well and on another day he might have had three or four."

The Blues settled the quicker of the two sides on a bumpy surface and they thoroughly deserved to go in front. Andy Mason fed Andy Perkins down the left-hand flank and he whipped in a stinging cross, which Laws met with a flying eight-yard header.

Portland continued to dominate during the first period with both Chris Evans and Dave Whalley wasting decent openings, however they were lucky to hold on to their advantage following Cowes' first real attack on the stroke of half time which saw a lobbed effort loop over the head of keeper Paul Myers and bounce off the crossbar to safety.

The pattern of the second period was much the same as the first with the visitors always looking comfortable in possession.

And they almost added to their tally when Mason hit a 40-yard pass which Laws headed into the path of Reeve whose thunderous volley was brilliantly saved by the home keeper.

Cowes enjoyed a purple patch towards the end of the contest but United's young central defenders Dave Wallis and Jimmy Dailey held firm to ensure a winning start for the Blues.

Preston added: "The scoreline doesn't really reflect our dominance but what's important is that's it is three points in the bag. Cowes had their moments and look a half decent team but I was never concerned about them getting back into the game.

"Young Jimmy and Dave were outstanding at the back deputising for the experienced Alan Rodgers and Mark Carter and I thought everyone looked fit, sharp and very committed.

"The main aim was to go there and make sure we didn't lose and so a win and maximum points is a satisfactory start to the campaign."

Blues: Myers, Bews, Reader, J Dailey, Wallis, Evans, Whalley, Perkins, Laws, Reeve, Mason. Subs not used: Tizard, L Dailey, Preston.