PORTLAND UNITED 2

Doyle 31, Sayers 69

SHAFTESBURY 0

PORTLAND United made it a super six Wessex League Premier Division wins on the bounce with a 2-0 victory over Shaftesbury at the Camp & Satherley Stadium.

After a poor start from both sides, Portland fashioned the first chance as Brin Doyle capitalised on a defensive mistake to fire at away keeper Tyler Roberts-Disson from a tight angle.

Jamie Symes later sent a looping header over from a corner but Matt Harvey had to be alert at the other end to block an excellent chance for Luke Delaney.

Symes was unlucky not to be rewarded for charging down a Roberts-Disson clearance but it mattered little as seconds later Portland took the lead.

READ MORE: Mike Edgar exits Portland United as Harrison Bruton joins

Symes was the architect, his clever through ball playing Doyle into space on the right side of the area before the Dorchester loanee lashed an emphatic finish into the roof of the net for 1-0.

Just before break, with chances still limited, Shaftesbury suffered a blow as Ryan Cluett hobbled off and was replaced by former Wimborne boss James Stokoe.

The Rockies improved in the second half and should have had a penalty in the 47th minute as a corner bounced in front of ex-Shaftesbury striker Rowe and struck his hand.

Unfortunately for Portland, they then filed a contender for miss of the season.

George Stuttle’s marvellous run on the left, beating three defenders, opened a chance to cross from the byline and his astute ball across the six-yard box appeared to tee up Doyle perfectly.

However, the teenager got his feet in a tangle and kicked at air to miss an open goal at the back post from all of two yards out.

With play far more open in the second period, Shaftesbury should have levelled when ex-Dorchester striker Ash Pope beat the offside trap only to scuff wide.

Delaney then forced debutant Harrison Bruton into his first save before Blues’ boss Kyle Critchell switched Stuttle and Rowe for Hayden Scott and Liam Sayers respectively.

And it took Sayers just five minutes to score as Jack Delves’ excellent volleyed through ball set the ex-Portsmouth forward away and he poked a good finish in off the inside of the near post for 2-0.

Critchell later exchanged Delves and Symes for Lance Wilson and Toby Diaz but Shaftesbury conjured the next chance as Bruton scampered across his line to keep out Jake Smeeton’s deflected shot.

Wilson then carved out a fine chance with a clever nutmeg but Roberts-Disson was off his line quickly to make a good save as Portland were denied a third goal to go with the three points.

Speaking to Portland media officer Josh Barton, Symes expressed his satisfaction with the result.

He said: “We had to maintain the shape and press when we needed to press but also stay compact.

“We wanted them to have the ball because we knew the last six or seven games we have been so hard to break down.”

Doyle now has four goals in six games, Symes adding: “He’s in form, confident, running at players, taking players on and he scored a good goal.

“Even when he’s missed a chance he’s still getting in there again, he’s on fire.”

Finally, Symes had his say on the sixth consecutive victory.

“We had belief in ourselves,” he said.

“We had confidence that we could come in here with the players that were here already, it was just about making them tactically better and getting the confidence into them.

“It took a while because it was a relegation scrap at first but the more we got into them what we wanted to do, the right things and playing in the right areas, they took it on board so well.

“They’ve been brilliant, amazing, for us.”

Blues: Bruton, Harvey, Stuttle (Scott 56), Williams, Bessant, Callow, Doyle, McKechnie, Symes (Diaz 80), Rowe (Sayers 64), Delves (Wilson 79). Sub not used: Walbridge.

Attendance: 351

Match sponsors: Hearn & Sons

Man of the match sponsors: Lee Moran’s stag do

Match ball sponsor: Royal Manor Running Club

Programme sponsor: Café Oasis – Paul Cocks

Mascot sponsor: Georgina Wakely

Mascots: Harvey Bessant, George Merridan, Josh Lock and Leo Rowe.