BAFFINS MILTON ROVERS 1

PORTLAND UNITED 0

PORTLAND United were shaded 1-0 as Baffins Milton Rovers did the double over the Blues in the Wessex League Premier Division.

While Portland have solidified defensively under new boss Kyle Critchell, had the Blues taken one of their chances in this game a point was on the table.

Brin Doyle saw the door open and shut after Liam Sayers supplied him and Troy Walbridge saw penalty claims waved away after contact with Baffins’ keeper Roux Hardcastle.

But Baffins began to grow into the game and Charlie Oakwell’s deflected free-kick spun behind for a harmless corner.

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Rovers would lead in the 23rd minute though, as Portland keeper Mike Edgar failed to claim cleanly from a corner, allowing home skipper Jason Parish to nod home his second goal against the Blues this season.

Portland responded before half-time when captain Ryan McKechnie headed at Hardcastle from Toby Diaz’s cross, and Kelvin Robinson pulled a shot wide for Baffins seconds later.

In the second half, Baffins created the first chance of note as Jack Francis was allowed to stride forward and whistle a drive past the post on 59 minutes.

Brad Lethbridge bent a free-kick narrowly off target for Baffins and Portland had a goal ruled out for offside with 20 minutes to go.

Baffins had the greater chances as the clock ticked down, Tyler Giddings flashing a header just wide and Dillan North seeing his header scrubbed out for offside.

Portland had played well enough to get one final chance, though.

Ryan McKechnie lined up a free-kick in the 90th minute and his shot span away off the wall and behind for a corner, but Hardcastle spotted the danger from the delivery and punched clear to invite the final whistle.

Speaking to Echosport, Critchell said: “I don’t think there was anything in the game, which is even more frustrating.

“It should’ve been a 0-0 or we could’ve nicked it. It’s the same old story, if you don’t score goals you’re not going to win games.

“Our quality going forwards just wasn’t on par with how we defended. There’s definitely progress being made but to come to places like Baffins and get a result, you have to take your chances.

“It’s decision-making, those grey areas in football. You can’t coach grey areas, they’re about problem solving and taking the initiative.

“I can’t coach that, that’s got to be a feeling in the game. In terms of what we’ve done, we were incredibly organised and didn’t give away many opportunities.”

Blues: Edgar, Thomas, Callow, Williams, Symes (Harvey 85), Bessant, Diaz (M Smith 61), McKechnie, Walbridge (Hewitt 70), Sayers, Doyle. Subs not used: J Lucas, Pritchard.

Attendance: 88