LAVERSTOCK & FORD 2

PORTLAND 3

Portland almost threw away a three goal lead at Laverstock & Ford but held on to secure all three points in the Wessex League Premier.

Shaun Bessant and Josh Hickman's side went into a commanding 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Greg Borthwick (2) and Pat Jenkins.

However, late goals form Frazer Colmer and Jake Watson set up a nervy finish to the game as the Blues held on to the win after six minutes of added time.

The Blues welcomed top scorer Borthwick back to the starting line up after the birth of his first child whilst Joe Wickham made his first start of the season in midfield.

Sam Gadsby's move to Bashley meant that player/coach Crit Clarke also came into the starting eleven.

The game got off to a slow start at Church Road, but it would be Portland's Borthwick who had the first real chance of the match.

With almost 20 minutes played, the striker latched on to a ball played over the top but could not keep his effort down and blazed over the bar.

Wickham had started lively with a series of good runs from midfield but he was unable to find a player in blue from his delivery into the box.

Laverstock then had a chance of their own as one of their forward's burst forward but took too long to get his shot off and it was well blocked by a Blues defender.

As the half was drew to end the Blues would finally find the opener.

Jenkins blocked Laverstock keeper Gunstone-Gray's kick with the ball coming to Freddie Beale out wide.

The winger then played in Jack Delves who played the ball to Jenkins to head in from close range.

Then, just like that, Borthwick would double the visitors lead on the stroke of half time after an assist from Wickham.

A slow start to the second half saw very few chances created but just after the hour mark, Portland extended their lead to 3-0.

It was again Borthwick to get on the scoresheet after the striker smashed home from a Beale cross.

With the game approaching the final ten minutes, Laverstock pulled one back through Frazer Colmer who poked home from close range from a corner.

The home side then made it a nervy finish for the Blues as Jake Watson finished from close range after a ball was sent into the box.

Six minutes of added seemed like an age for the away side but the ref finally blew and Portland took all three points back to Dorset.

PORTLAND: Bruton, Evans, Clarke, Toms, Stuttle (Husher 72), Delves, Wickham, Williams, Borthwick (Coombs 81), Jenkins (Scott 87), Beale

LAVERSTOCK & FORD: Gunstone-Gray, Fletcher, Comer, Roberts, Bourner, Rawkins, Sykes, Lovegrove, Matthews, B.Campbell-Smith, T.Campbell-Smith