PORTLAND UNITED OLD BOYS 2

Reader (2)

SOUTHAMPTON LEGENDS 4

Howard (3), Hughes

PORTLAND United Old Boys put up a terrific fight in their charity match with Southampton Legends, losing 4-2 to a star-studded Saints side at the Camp & Satherley Stadium.

Held as the pinnacle of Portland United’s centenary celebrations, the match attracted a bumper crowd of 805.

That proved bigger than the 756 to attend Weymouth’s 4-2 National League loss to Solihull on Saturday, such was the draw of the fixture.

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Southampton fielded icons including Matt Le Tissier, Glenn Cockerill, David Hughes and Steve Williams.

Portland named Darren Whyton, Brendon King, Mark Carter and many more among their squad but it was Chris Reader who stole the show with a superb brace – including one from the penalty spot.

However, Portland’s efforts were not enough to overhaul midfielder Brian Howard’s hat-trick, his treble backed up by a goal from Weymouth youth product David Hughes.

Charities such as the Three Ells Trust, Cancer Research UK and Southampton Children’s Charities will benefit from funds raised by the game.

And, while the total amount raised is still being totted up, Portland chairman Matt Lucas declared the event a massive success.

He told Echosport: “It was the best night that we at Portland United could’ve ever wished for.

“The attendance of 805 exceeded our wildest thoughts. Southampton players were among the last to leave the club on that evening, which says a lot.

“We ended with karaoke and it was just a terrific afternoon and evening. It just showed the best of Portland United and the community itself, it was brilliant.

“The three charities and the club will obviously do very well out of the evening. What was important to us was what the club could give to charity.

“There are some very, very good charities. The Three Ells is very close to us as a club. Everybody got behind what we were trying to do and enjoyed the evening.”

Lucas also sang the praises of Southampton’s legends, adding: “I would just like to put out there what brilliant professionals they were, how they put their all into the evening.

“The way that they signed any autograph that was asked for, the way they mixed with the supporters.

“The youngsters, the mascots had a wonderful time. For Matt Le Tissier and Darren Whyton to be giving out medals to all the mascots and just seeing everybody with these players, it was wonderful, it really was.”