BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 3

PORTLAND UNITED 0

BRAVE Portland United held out with ten men until the 80th minute before promotion-chasing Bemerton Heath Harlequins claimed a 3-0 win at Moon Park.

Kyle Critchell’s men, unbeaten in eight Wessex League games coming into the clash, were locked at 0-0 before skipper Ryan McKechnie’s red card on the hour.

Bemerton turned up the pressure in the final 30 minutes and, when Justin Bennett grabbed the first, the floodgates opened as Portland tasted defeat for the first time since late February.

Portland did a good job of frustrating the hosts with tough tackling and organised defending in the first half.

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Brin Doyle went close as keeper Patrick Creese twice denied the Dorchester loanee before Creese’s opposite number Harrison Bruton did well to punch clear a corner under severe pressure.

Ben Morris also hit a deflected shot over for Portland before the break.

Bemerton continued to have more of possession in the second half but Portland were proving a tough obstacle to overcome until two yellow cards in nine minutes for McKechnie.

The combative Blues midfielder was first booked for halting a break on 50 minutes and received a second yellow for a needless foul.

It prompted a defensive substitution as forward Hayden Scott was removed for Jack Delves on 61 minutes.

Portland began to live dangerously as Bemerton struck the bar and Shaun Bessant made an imperative block as the Harlequins upped the tempo.

Doyle later had his own goalbound effort blocked before Bennett unlocked the away defence, lashing home from a cross.

On 88 minutes, Bennett caught Portland on the counter for 2-0 as the Blues pushed men up and the hosts managed a third from the spot as Greg Peel was tripped in the box before converting the penalty past Bruton.

Speaking to Echosport, Critchell refused to apportion blame on the red card for Portland’s loss.

He said: “Macca’s apologised, the red card does change the game. We were competitive, holding our own.

“Don’t get me wrong, we were having to keep a good shape and they were trying to break us down.

“We had some chances, they had chances and the game could’ve gone either way had we stayed with 11 men.

“Unfortunately, as soon as you lose a man (against) a club trying to get promoted, the ascendancy turns to their favour. They created a lot of chances.

“Ultimately that pressure was just too much and they ended up scoring three goals.”

McKechnie is set to receive a two-game suspension, ruling him out of Horndean on Tuesday and the first game of next season.

On the matter, Critchell added: “What we’ve got is an honest bunch of lads. None of our lads go out with the intention of getting red-carded.

“It’s a conversation Ryan and I will have. He’s a combative midfielder. Maybe he shouldn’t have made the second challenge but he knows that and he’s apologised to the rest of the lads.

“Ultimately, we’ve lost but we’re a team, we’ll stick together. Ryan’s our captain. He’s a good leader and he’s very supportive to not only me but the younger lads.

“He’s a good role model for some of those coming through. It’s one of those things.

“It wasn’t a malicious tackle, he just picked up a second yellow when he was probably getting a bit tired.

“Maybe at that point I should’ve thought about taking him off, so it’s a reflection on myself as well as Ryan.”

He added: “With the run, we look at it with immense pride and it’s just recognition of the work that everyone at the club has put in.

“We’re just delighted that the club is looking forwards and upwards. We’re excited for what the future holds and will continue to create an environment for young players to thrive in.”

Blues: Bruton, Harvey, Stuttle (Diaz 83), Williams, Bessant, Callow, Doyle (Wilson 83), McKechnie, Scott (Delves 61), Rowe (Sayers 72), Morris. Sub not used: Critchell.

Attendance: 150