Portland United 3

Jenkins 19, Borthwick 24, Stuttle 90+4

Hamworthy Recreation 4

Long 8, 10, Cooper 47, Deem 61

Portland were on the losing side of a seven-goal thriller at the Camp and Satherley Stadium against Hamworthy Recreation FC on Tuesday night.

Blues boss Kyle Critchell made three changes to the starting 11 from Saturday’s 1-0 away defeat to Whitchurch United. Crit Clarke, Pat Jenkins and captain Josh Williams were brought in.

Early challenges from Clarke and George Stuttle saw both players in the referee’s book after six minutes.

Pressure was on Portland and a dangerous free kick from a Rec player to the back post was met by Chris Long, who struck the ball in the bottom corner for the visitors after 8 minutes.

Two minutes later, things went from bad to worse as Hamworthy doubled their lead. Long bagged his brace after some nice passing, which saw Marcelo Rossi loop the ball onto the striker for a header.

Jenkins got a goal back for the Blues after 19 minutes. Bessant squared the ball across the box from the byline after a nice run, and although the cross was blocked by a Rec defender, it fell to Jenkins who smashed in the chance from close range.

Greg Borthwick was looking dangerous, and two minutes after almost setting up Williams, he grabbed a goal of his own. A searching ball from the middle of the park put Borthwick through on goal, with the forward making no mistake with a curled shot into the bottom corner. The score was 2-2 after 24 minutes.

Deep into added time of the first half, Williams tackled the ball from the Rec skipper but his effort from range blasted wide of the post.

Hamworthy were awarded a penalty two minutes into the second half, dispatched by Ben Cooper to see the visitors go ahead.

The two-goal advantage for Rec was restored after 61 minutes when George Deem fired a shot home from close range in the area.

Long had the opportunity to grab a hattrick for the visitors after 75 minutes of play. His right footed effort was tipped over the bar by keeper Harrison Bruton.

With just over 10 minutes to go, Williams took on an effort from range but the chance flew over the crossbar. Moments later, Portland had another chance, this time from Stuttle’s long throw-in. Gadsby nodded the effort on target but it was graciously into the gloves of the goalkeeper.

In the fourth minute of added time Stuttle cut the goal deficit to one. The ball dropped to the forward on the edge of the area, who volleyed the chance into the back of the net.

The result sees Portland sit in ninth place in the Velocity Wessex Football League, with five points from their first four games. They will play host again on Saturday (August 31) to high-flying AFC Porchester, who have won their first three games this season.

Attendance: 210

Blues XI: Bruton, Bessant, Clarke (Scott 87), Toms, Gadsby, Stuttle, Beale (Coombs 46), Williams, Borthwick (Camp 75), Delves, Jenkins. Subs: Walbridge, Lucas.