ALRESFORD TOWN 1

PORTLAND UNITED 4

(Match abandoned at half-time)

PORTLAND United were quite literally left in the dark after a floodlight failure prematurely ended their Wessex League Premier Division match at Alresford Town.

Franklyn Clarke’s Blues will feel very aggrieved at the circumstances after carving out a 4-1 lead at half-time.

Clarke himself got the ball rolling for the islanders with a looping effort that deceived home keeper Kieran Connell in the second minute.

Liam Sayers, Brin Doyle, Ben Morris and Matt Harvey all wasted chances in the opening 15 minutes as Portland completely dominated the Magpies.

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However, Clarke won two penalties in three minutes, both stuck away by Sayers to give Portland a healthy 3-0 lead.

And the Blues grabbed a fourth on 34 minutes when Sayers completed his hat-trick to put the visitors in dreamland.

Alresford did pull a goal back through Callum Sweeney but it would only have been a consolation before the floodlight failure.

Portland are awaiting guidance from league officials on whether the match will be replayed.

Clarke told Echosport: “We were dominating the game, 4-1 and comfortable. We were probably going to go and score more.

“We could’ve had double what we had in the first half, with some of our chances. We were totally in control.

“Then, the floodlights go. We were looking at three points for us but what can you do?

“I’ve not a clue who makes the decision. If it gets replayed, it just evens everything out and gives them another chance. Anything can happen.

“That’s the danger when you’re winning 4-1 that you’ve got to go and play them again from 0-0 – that’s what I’m assuming. It’s a new situation for everyone, a mad set of circumstances.”