HAMWORTHY REC 2

PORTLAND UNITED 3

PORTLAND United needed a late goal from attacking midfielder Brin Doyle to clinch a 3-2 win over Hamworthy Recreation at Magna Road.

Having seen their Saturday friendly with Wincanton cancelled, Portland rushed to organise this fixture against Step 6 side Rec.

The Blues were forced to weather an early misjudgement from goalkeeper Harrison Bruton, who advanced to punch away a corner only to make no contact, the visitors scrambling clear.

Doyle later saw a good effort spin wide from a deflection before Luke Sheehy forced a sharp double save from the Rec stopper.

READ MORE: Portland United 2-0 Hamworthy United - report

However, a defensive error allowed Rec to score against the run of play as George Deem stole in and slid the ball across for Chris Long to convert.

Portland were behind for all of four minutes, Ryan McKechnie lashing home the loose ball after George Stuttle’s initial effort was cleared off the line from a corner.

Bruton was beaten from a free-kick as Rec nearly took the lead again, only for the crossbar to deny them prior to the break.

Portland boss Kyle Critchell made two subs in the second half as Shaun Bessant and Josh Williams were removed for Sam Gadsby and Jack Delves.

And it was Delves who made a near instant impact, seconds after coming on, as he harried Rec into giving away possession and Doyle struck a fierce shot home on the angle on 58 minutes.

Rec were performing as if they were at the same level as Portland, though, and were denied by Matt Harvey’s goal-saving tackle before another shaky moment for Bruton went unpunished.

Portland were seven minutes from seeing the win out but for an additional error as Deem capitalised on a slip to score from just outside the box.

The equaliser set up a frantic finale and Portland duly retook the lead in the 89th minute when Liam Sayers picked out Doyle with a cutting ball and the youngster completed his brace to hand the Blues victory.

Portland wrap up their pre-season campaign on Saturday at Crediton United (3pm).

Blues: Bruton, Harvey, Stuttle, Williams (Delves 57), Bessant (Gadsby 46), Callow, Doyle, McKechnie, Sayers, Rowe, Sheehy (Cleaver 75). Subs not used: Symes, Diaz.