PORTLAND UNITED 5

TOTTON & ELING 3

PORTLAND United saw off Totton & Eling in an eight-goal thriller to progress to the Velocity Wessex League Cup second round.

The Blues will face Romsey Town on Tuesday, October 3 but they will have to improve defensively if they are to embark on a cup run.

Portland went behind in the third minute, failing to deal properly with a throw-in despite numerous attempts to clear, Oli Dennett powering a low shot through keeper Sam Moggeridge.

The goal sparked Portland into life as Greg Borthwick slammed a shot into the side netting and then clipped the outside of the right-hand post from 20 yards.

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Looking dangerous every time they came forward, it came as no surprise when Portland equalised as Ben Holloway rose highest at a corner to thump a header into the top-right.

Portland made it two goals in two minutes when Brin Doyle raced onto a Ryan McKechnie through ball and blasted a first-time volley into the right corner.

Dennett drilled wide for the Millers on the break but they could not prevent a rapid Portland third as Greg Borthwick stooped to nod home Luke Sheehy’s cross from the right after tenacious work to lose his marker.

Rising star Archie Woolford showed sublime touch to control over his shoulder before arrowing a 35-yard dipper over, and Sheehy went close to a fourth only for Millers’ keeper Matt Taylor to smother his shot.

It took just eight minutes of the second half for Portland to make it 4-1 with a delicious goal laden with one-touch passing and set up by Doyle’s cheeky flick into the path of Sheehy, who rifled home.

Two minutes later Woolford gave another demonstration of his precocious talent when he controlled Doyle’s pass across the box and curled a beautiful finish into the far corner, with Taylor unmoved.

Woolford nearly bagged an assist on 58 minutes, only for sub Josh Williams to prod over, and more one-touch football saw Jack Delves play sub Hayden Scott in, the striker stabbing well wide.

However, defensive errors crept in again for Portland as Holloway’s poor backpass was seized upon by Millers’ sub Charlie Lemon, who rolled in from 25 yards out.

Scott scuffed a good chance for 6-2 at Taylor following great vision from sub Bailey Rowe, all before a dubious third for the visitors.

George Stuttle was booked despite appearing to win the ball near the right touchline and the resulting free-kick was only half-cleared to Dennett who whacked a sweet volley into the top-right corner.

After treatment for a head injury to Scott, there was still time for Rowe to put one final chance into the netting behind the goal as an open and entertaining cup tie drew to a close.

Blues’ boss Kyle Critchell said: “I thought the game was a good advert and we showed a lot of attacking threat.

“I thought our composure showed and we scored five good goals. I’m not happy with conceding three but I did say before the game that I want to score more goals than them.

“Quite literally, that’s what happened.”

Critchell also highlighted the entertaining nature of the game, adding: “I’m glad that the people turning up had a fun game to watch.

“I thought Archie was absolutely fantastic with a couple of assists and a goal. All the lads in forward areas did really well.

“I’m really happy, it keeps the momentum going into Saturday’s game against Brock, which will be very different to what we faced in terms of the pitch, style of football and the way the game will unfold.”

Critchell is now unbeaten in nine home games as boss.

“Last season we had to come in and solidify what was happening,” he said.

“There was goals going in galore and it’s now about trying to build upon what we’ve done and create a style that’s in my image.

“We know defensively we can do that, although it wasn’t on show, but it’s that time to express ourselves.

“It’s great to preserve our unbeaten run at home but as usual there’s loads to work on and we’ll continue to do that on Thursday in training.

“Hopefully we can go to Brock and get another positive result.”

Blues: Moggeridge, Steele, Stuttle, McKechnie (Williams 54), Callow, Holloway, Doyle, Delves, Borthwick (Rowe 46), Sheehy (Scott 60), Woolford. Subs not used: Gadsby, Harvey.

Attendance: 106

Match sponsor: Robin Satherley.

Match ball: Charlie Bilke.

Programme: Steve Smith Building Contractors Ltd.

Mascots: Advoco.