PORTLAND UNITED 2

BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 5

FRANKLYN Clarke’s final game at Portland United ended in a 5-2 defeat to a stylish Bemerton Heath Harlequins side at the Camp & Satherley Stadium.

Clarke, 29, will now vacate his player-manager role in search of a new club to concentrate on playing.

But that was not after his players gave everything against high-calibre opponents who have now lost just once in 16 Wessex League Premier Division games this season.

Bemerton took the lead in the seventh minute and never looked back, Greg Peel latching onto a through ball before beating Mike Edgar for 1-0.

Danny Young then pickpocketed the Portland defence, rounding Edgar and slotting home Heath’s second.

READ MORE: Mark 'Reggie' Carter appointed Portland United interim boss

And Harlequins had a third on the stroke of half-time as Charlie Burden’s one-two with George Higgins carved open a chance which Burden took with aplomb.

Portland now had a driving wind behind them but Bemerton hit the post before Higgins got in on the act, tucking away Reece Rusher’s pass in the 54th minute.

Four minutes later, Portland were given a consolation goal by Ryan McKechnie’s fine finish across Patrick Creese.

However, Bemerton wasted little time in re-establishing their four-goal advantage when Young finished off a determined run and cross from Rusher.

Brin Doyle headed a second in the 77th minute for Portland, before Matt Harvey saw red for two bookable offences in the space of six minutes.

While it was not the winning send-off Clarke might have anticipated, the outgoing boss was proud of his players’ efforts.

He told Echosport: “They’re a top side, they had two wingers who were really effective and the number 10 they had playing up front, dropping off the striker, was a real handful.

“They were the better team on the night and deserved to win, but our boys showed resilience and still didn’t give up.

“We were losing 4-0 and scored two goals, pushing for more. The heads don’t drop and they don’t accept defeat, they still keep going until the end which is a really nice thing to see.

“They gave absolutely everything and more. The conditions weren’t the best again.

“They gave me everything and I’m sure they’ll do that again for the next manager. All my thanks goes to the lads for their time and effort.

“Hopefully they can keep developing the way they have been.”

Portland will now be overseen in an interim period by Mark Carter, Andy Mallet and McKechnie.

Blues: Edgar, Thomas (Sayers 51), Diaz, Harvey, Callow, Cleaver, Williams (Scott 63), McKechnie, Borthwick (Doyle 51), Morris (Walbridge 75), Greenwood-Neate (Lowes 67).

Attendance: 91

Match, match ball and programme sponsor: Fi Woods

Man of the match sponsor: Vic Holland