BRIDPORT 0

PORTLAND UNITED 2

TWO goals from Portland United new boy Patrick Jenkins gave the Blues a 2-0 victory over Bridport in their second pre-season friendly of 2024.

Jenkins now has three goals in two games since joining Portland, having also netted in the 5-1 win over Sturminster Newton last week.

Both sides were missing a handful of key players but Kyle Critchell’s men, as expected given their Step 5 status, made the greater impressions at key moments.

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Jenkins’ first goal came as a result of a cross-come-shot, deceiving goalkeeper Jordon Scadding.

And Jenkins followed it up with a finish of real quality from the edge of the box, handing Portland a 2-0 half-time lead.

Joe Wickham smashed a thunderous shot against the bar for the Blues, who did not have it all their own way during the Dorset derby.

Bridport were a continuous threat at set-pieces, with Isaac House twice going close from corners, in addition to a separate effort from Luke King.

Kieran Coombs also spurned a good chance but the best of the Bees’ bunch fell to Noah House, who was released by a superb long ball from Ryan Leader, only to be denied by keeper Harrison Wallis.

Speaking to Echosport, Critchell said: “I thought it was a very competitive fixture and one that we very much enjoyed. Thank you to Herbsty (Chris Herbst, Bees boss) for getting it on. It’s nice to see local clubs supporting each other.

“It was definitely more difficult than it looked and both teams were missing key players.

“All in all, the performance was good, we were strong and at times in the first half we definitely played some good football.”

Herbst, whose side were playing their first friendly of the summer, said: “They were decent, a lot of quality.

“For us, it was about the minutes. There were plenty of positives. We created quite a few chances and the new lads have done well.”

Both sides next play on Thursday at 7.30pm, Bridport at home to Beer Albion, while Portland travel to Blandford School to play Blandford United.

Bees: Jo Scadding, King, Leader, Gall, N House, Brook, Daniels, Parsons, Lock, I House, Coombs. Subs: Stavrianos, Hill, Will, Woodhouse, Sheehy, Kershaw, Strelley.

Blues: Wallis, Wickham, Gadsby, Bessant, Husher (Holloway 60), Beale (Coat 60), Cleaver, Scott, Williams (Delves 60), Borthwick (Symes 46), Jenkins.

Attendance: 369.