BOURNEMOUTH POPPIES 1

PORTLAND UNITED 0

INSPIRATIONAL goalkeeping from Bournemouth Poppies custodian Noah Crisp helped his side to a 1-0 victory over Portland United at Victoria Park.

AFC Bournemouth loanee Crisp kept Portland at bay with a series of stupendous saves as Marcus Smith, Shaun Bessant and Liam Sayers were all left in disbelief at having not levelled.

In the end, Poppies' debutant Rico Wilson’s first-half goal proved decisive as the hosts hauled themselves out of the Wessex League Premier Division’s bottom two.

After negotiating three early Poppies corners, Portland created the first big chance in the fifth minute when the unmarked Bessant powered a header wide from 12 yards out.

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Brin Doyle sent a tame shot at Crisp before Bailey Rowe charged down the keeper, who was fortunate to see the ball bounce kindly for him to gather in the area.

Poppies were meanwhile troubling Portland with their set-plays, Tyrone Carkeet drilling over from 30 yards and Ron Frost slashing wide.

And, when Portland dealt unconvincingly with a free-kick dropped into the mixer, the ball rebounded to Wilson who slammed home confidently from six yards in the 22nd minute.

Ryan McKechnie fired a good chance at Crisp and the Portland skipper flicked a header at Crisp as the Blues probed for a leveller.

Crisp then produced the first of his outstanding saves, getting down low and late to push away Bessant’s goalbound header, leaving the centre-back with head in hands.

From the resulting Josh Williams corner, George Stuttle glanced a header wide to invite the half-time whistle.

Portland boss Kyle Critchell replaced Toby Diaz with Marcus Smith at half-time and Portland continued to look the likelier team to score.

Williams, whose deliveries were dangerous all night, swung in a corner and McKechnie’s touch on caused Connor Callow to send a half-volley over on the stretch.

Then came Crisp’s finest save of the night, after Stuttle had run rings around the Poppies defence to earn a corner.

Williams’ delivery was only cleared as far as sub Jamie Symes, who then teed up Liam Sayers for a venomous strike that appeared in all the way until Crisp’s incredible flying one-handed stop.

Williams was sin-binned for dissent after reacting angrily to a challenge on the far side, but Portland still dominated the latter stages with ten men.

Crisp miraculously denied Portland again when Symes drew a foul 25 yards from goal.

Up stepped Smith with a sweetly-struck free-kick veering towards the top corner, only for Crisp to somehow tip clear with his right glove when a goal seemed certain.

Crisp was prolific again from the corner, diverting Matt Harvey’s header to the disbelief of Portland’s travelling support.

Portland pushed on in search of a leveller but Crisp’s efforts were rewarded with a valuable three points as the hosts leapfrogged Pagham.

Speaking to Echosport, Critchell insisted his squad must change their mentality if they are to remain at Portland next season.

He said: “I couldn’t see the performance (coming) but I could see the result because we were flat in the warm-up. That was a worry.

“It just wasn’t right and the lads always talk about Bournemouth being their bogey side.

“We have to change this mentality. The club has been struggling away from home for the last couple of years.

“That has to change if we’re going to compete and the lads want to stay at Portland.

“You can’t turn up to a ground and start talking about bogey sides. For me, it’s about rolling up your sleeves.

“If you don’t do the basics right, you won’t win a football game. It’s ultimately cost us the game, we didn’t compete and we didn’t want to fight.”

When put to him that Crisp had enjoyed a spectacular night, Critchell said: “He has, however we haven’t met the standards we’ve set.

“They made it difficult for us. Once they got that goal they sat back and did all they could to defend it.”

Blues: Edgar, Harvey, Bessant, Callow, Stuttle (Symes 86), McKechnie (Borthwick 70), Williams, Doyle, Diaz (M Smith 46), Rowe, Sayers. Subs not used: Pritchard, Thomas.

Attendance: 81