ALRESFORD TOWN 0

PORTLAND UNITED 3

PORTLAND United dismissed rock-bottom Alresford Town 3-0 to go eight games unbeaten in the Wessex League Premier Division.

Kyle Critchell and Jamie Symes’ Blues are enjoying their best run of form since the 2018/19 season and will feel justice has been done after events earlier in the season.

In November, Portland were 4-1 up at Alresford when a floodlight failure forced the game to be abandoned.

Coming into the game, Alresford had won just once in 34 games with a minus 100 goal difference.

And Portland quickly asserted themselves as Jack Delves and Josh Williams blasted over.

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Ben Morris, making his return from a spell out, then put the Blues ahead when he swept home Brin Doyle’s delightful cross.

Portland extinguished any hopes of an Alresford equaliser just before half-time when man-of-the-match Matt Harvey’s peach of a cross found its way to Morris.

The winger netted at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by keeper Kieran Connell, putting the Blues 2-0 up at the break.

It took just nine minutes of the second half for Portland to wrap up the points, Bailey Rowe firing home after a chargedown fell kindly for him.

Portland had two further chances through Hayden Scott, before a Rowe effort clattered Connell in the face, as a fourth goal proved elusive.

Portland moved into ninth place following a performance that delighted assistant-boss Symes.

He told Echosport: “It was a slow start from us but as we got comfortable in the roles for what we set out to do, it was a really good result.

“They drew their last game, so we knew it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. But it’s a good result and one we’re happy to take home.”

Portland visit promotion-chasing Bemerton on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Blues: Bruton, Harvey, Stuttle, Williams (Diaz 63), Bessant, Callow (Holloway 67), Doyle, Delves (Wilson 57), Scott, Rowe, Morris.