PORTLAND UNITED 4

PAGHAM 0

PORTLAND United claimed a magnificent 4-0 home win over Pagham to earn a crucial three points in their battle to escape the Wessex League Premier Division trapdoor.

Kyle Critchell’s Blues were fully deserving of a victory that takes during a pre-pandemic stint with the Blues, was named among the starters after joining from Shaftesbury on Friday.

Portland made a good start in foggy conditions when Brin Doyle came within inches of connecting with a low cross, while Pagham could not fashion a shot on target from a free-kick at the other end.

Liam Sayers cracked Portland’s first shot on target from 25 yards out but Pagham gave a reminder of their danger when Shaun Bessant was forced into two defensive blocks.

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Ending the half strongly, Portland were unlucky to have a shot cleared off the line and Rowe was denied in a one-on-one chance as Pagham’s goal began to live a charmed life.

Sure enough, Portland found the opener in the 59th minute as a recycled ball in from Connor Callow picked out Sayers to head home from close range.

At 1-0 with 70 minutes played, Portland put the match to bed as the returning Rowe marked his second debut with a well-taken goal.

Portland grabbed a third when centre-back George Stuttle rose highest to convert Josh Williams’ accurate corner.

And there was still time for Greg Borthwick to add a fourth in the 90th minute, completing a highly satisfactory day for the Blues.

After booking his second win as boss and Portland’s third clean sheet of the season, Critchell felt the Blues had made “huge strides”.

He told Echosport: “I just felt like the lads have put in so much effort to understand what we’re trying to do.

“We continue with the word progress but we made huge strides.

“First half we probably didn’t do what we should’ve but second half we came out and the lads gave 100 per cent, there was a lot of quality on show as well.”

On Rowe’s performance, Critchell said: “We’ve signed him to score goals and he scored. His work rate and tenacity was outstanding.

“That’s the standard we set for all of the lads. I don’t want to single anyone out because everyone deserves praise.

“That’s three points, we don’t get too high and we’ve got another big game on Tuesday.”

Critchell also highlighted the shutout, adding: “The clean sheet comes from the whole side.

“I’ve worked extremely hard with the coaching staff to set our team up to be difficult to beat. They’ve taken that on board and we looked comfortable.”

Portland visit Bournemouth Poppies on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Blues: Edgar, Harvey, Stuttle (Pritchard 90+1), Williams, Callow, Bessant, Diaz (M Smith 72), McKechnie, Rowe (Borthwick 77), Sayers, Doyle. Subs not used: Walbridge, Thomas.

Attendance: 192

Man of the match, match and match ball sponsors: The Old Boys