PORTLAND UNITED 2 STURMINSTER NEWTON 0 PORTLAND United wrapped up back-to-back Dorset Premier League titles with a 2-0 victory over Sturminster Newton United in front of a bumper crowd at Grove Corner.
The Blues went into the clash needing three points from their last two games to secure the championship and once Lewis Whyton put them ahead early on there was never any doubt that they would pull it off at the first attempt.
John Lamb then doubled the advantage eight minutes before the break by finishing off the type of free-flowing passing move that has set Portland apart from the rest of their rivals for another season.
The Blues should have gone on to score more in the second half but boss Stuart Heath was more than happy with their performance at the final whistle.
He said: “We would have liked to have played a bit better and scored a few more goals but I thought we were in control throughout.
“There were always going to be a few nerves but the boys did what they do best, they got the job done.
“We really turned our season around just after Christmas. When I arrived in November we were fifth and playing catch up, so we knew we had to go on an exceptional run to win it and that is exactly what we did.
“The players worked so hard in both training and games, and once we began to apply pressure on the teams above us they began to look over their shoulders and start dropping points.
“Then once we got ahead of them and on top I knew it was ours because the players were so determined not to let it slip.
“It takes a lot of things to win a title. You have got to have desire, character and determination but most importantly you need a team spirit.
“Without that you won’t achieve anything. We have that. We are all friends off the field and the way the lads have applied themselves has been fantastic and they deserve this success.
“To win the league once is good but to go on and do it a second time and retain the trophy is double the achievement.”
And Portland could go to secure an historic double tomorrow when they take on rivals Chickerell United in the Dorset Premier League Cup final at the Wessex Stadium.
Heath added: “When you win the league you have got to celebrate and enjoy it but I have told the lads to do it in the right way because tomorrow we have got another massive game, which I am sure Chickerell are looking forward to as well.
“I am sure it will be a great advert for the area and we have got something to prove now being champions.
“When we got to the quarter-finals I said we had a chance of doing the double and now it is there for us to win but we will have to play to our potential.”
A crowd of 161 turned up to see the Blues claim the title and it was not long before they were celebrating the opening goal.
It came on 11 minutes when Whyton, who had already struck the bar, reacted first to Alex Halloran’s header back into the box to beat away keeper Garfield Charles to the ball and stab it into the corner of the net.
It was exactly what Portland deserved and on 37 minutes they put the game to bed with a glorious second.
A sweeping passing move saw the ball switched from left to right and when Whyton found Richard Marshallsay, he slipped through Lamb who finished with aplomb.
Despite looking second best for much of the contest Stur continued to work hard but the Blues were far more threatening and they nearly added a third just before the break when keeper Nick Carroll made a fantastic claim at a cross before launching a long kick over the top of the visiting defence.
Chris Reader reacted first and latched on to the bouncing ball but Charles rushed off his line to block the striker’s shot.
The second half saw more chances for the islanders with Lamb, Reader, Whyton and Marshallsay all going close but the damage had already been done and at the final whistle there were huge celebrations as they went on to lift the cup in front of their delighted fans.
For Heath, it is a just reward for a fantastic first season in management but to him it is the players who deserve all the praise.
He added: “I would just like to thank the players personally. Since myself, Mark Carter and Gary Bailey came here they have been outstanding both in terms of commitment and determination.
“They have made my first season in management very easy so far.”
Blues: Carroll, S Clarke, Perkins, Cranny (Lambert 65), Dailey, Litherland, Halloran (Doidge 65), Marshallsay, Lamb, Whyton, Reader (Linaker 70).
Stur: Charles, Williams, Sweatman, Coates, Carter, A Clarke, Bastable, Spiller, Stockley, Beale, Mouselli. Subs not used: Budd, White, Ward.
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