BLANDFORD UTD 0 PORTLAND UTD 3

CHRIS Reader netted twice as Portland United produced a superb performance to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the Dorset Premier League.

Substitute Adam Linaker was also on target for the Blues who swept aside the Royals with such confidence that sealing back-to-back titles only looks a matter of time but boss Stuart Heath has warned his players not to think too far ahead.

He said: “We were pretty much in control for the whole game. We started well, were very patient and we passed the ball really well on what was a difficult surface.

“We changed the shape a little as I was not particularly happy with the previous two performances and it certainly freshened things up.

“We went 3-5-2 and we had a lot more balance in the side with players in areas of the pitch that they were a lot more comfortable in.

“The lads have been very consistent over the last two or three months while other teams around us have been dropping points and now it is just a case of keep getting the job done and keeping our feet on the ground.”

Reader opened the scoring on the half hour when he found space in the box and volleyed home from 12 yards.

He then added a second just after the break with a fine header from a cross from Scott Dixon before Linaker came off the bench on the hour and completed the job with virtually his first touch of the game.

Blues: Carroll, Cranny, Clarke, Perkins, Marshallsay, Halloran, Litherland (Lambert 65), Doidge, Dixon, Whyton (White 80), Reader (Linaker 60).