Blues on the spot

PORTLAND UNITED 2 CHICKERELL UNITED 2

(after extra-time, Portland win 4-2 on pens)

PORTLAND United secured an historic double at the Wessex Stadium last night as they held their nerve in a tense penalty shoot-out to see off rivals Chickerell United in the Dorset Premier League Cup final.

A crowd of around 400 watched the two teams go toe-to-toe for 120 minutes but they still could not be separated until Dan Welch and Ben Coltart both missed spot-kicks for Chickerell enabling substitute Adam Linaker to net the winning penalty.

The Blues, who wrapped up the Dorset Premier League title last Saturday with a 2-0 win over Sturminster Newton United, took the lead twice in the game through Lewis Whyton and Sam Clarke only to be pegged back by strikes from Warren White and Scott Henley.

And Portland boss Stuart Heath was full of admiration for both sides at the end of the contest.

He said: “Every player that played out there gave everything for their respective clubs. Their fitness levels were fantastic and some of the quality at times was excellent.

“Some of them also proved how they deserve a chance at a higher level and I am sure everyone who came and watched were impressed with what they saw.”

Focusing just on his own side, Heath added: “The lads come in, train hard, and are fully committed to the cause and that is why they thoroughly deserve what they have achieved this season.”

The opening 10 minutes were fairly tentative but there was certainly a competitive edge with tackles flying in all over the pitch.

And it was a misjudged lunge in the box that led to the opening goal as Ashley Smith upended John Lamb in the box giving the referee no other choice but to point to the spot where Whyton calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.

The Blues continued to look the more threatening side but on 26 minutes their opponents hit back with a tremendous strike from Warren White, who turned just inside the box before sending a thunderous half-volley past the rooted Nick Carroll.

It was a glorious strike and the same player had a great chance to add another just two minutes later when he gambled on a cross from the right from Smith only to send his header wide of the left post.

Suddenly it was Portland who were now looking edgy as their opponents continued to up the tempo but some poor defending at a corner on 33 minutes allowed the Blues to regain the lead against the run of play.

Lamb’s cross was not the best and looked harmless as it reached the near post but none of the Chickerell defenders took responsibility to try and clear the ball allowing Clarke to slide in and score from just a couple of yards.

Chickerell responded by cranking up the pressure either side of the break and on 59 minutes they levelled when a free-kick into the box by Smith saw ex-Blues man Scott Henley out-jump Carroll at the far post to head home to make it 2-2.

That gave Chickerell the momentum and on 77 minutes a long ball from Liam Miles saw Nick Ethering-ton run through and lift the ball over Carroll only to see his effort cleared off the line by Portland skipper Andy Perkins.

Andy Hall then volleyed just over from the resulting corner before Alex Halloran let fly for Portland with a strike from 25 yards that flew wide with just eight minutes to go.

With the score still tied at the end of normal time the game required an extra half-hour where both sides had chances to win it.

Whyton missed a gilt-edged opportunity when he sent a close-range effort wide following a cross from Ross Doidge, and after Linaker saw a shot stopped by Ashley Weeks, Chickerell were denied twice by Carroll, who tipped over a header from White and then saved a free-kick from Coltart.

Eventually the tie moved into penalties and when Dan Welch blazed over for Chickerell with the very first effort it put Portland in command.

Coltart, who took the Chickens’ third spot-kick, then saw his attempt saved superbly by Carroll, which left Linaker the opportunity to win it for the Blues, which he duly took.

Reflecting on what was a marvellous spectacle, Chickerell boss Maurice Welch said: “I think the three teams on show were all tremendous because the officials were fantastic as well and played their part in what was a great advert for local football.

“I don’t think either team deserved to lose in normal time and in my mind penalties was the right way to settle it this time around.

“Shoot-outs are always a bit of a lottery. We won on penalties in the semi-finals at Hamworthy Recreation but this time it was Portland’s turn.

“I cannot praise my lads enough for the effort they have put in this season and now it is my job to try and pick them up for another big game on Thursday at Weymouth College against Holt United in the league.”

Chickerell: A Weeks, Henley, Biles, Graham (Roper 91), Welch, Evans (Miles 46), Hall, Smith, Sibley (Coltart 82), White, Etherington. Subs not used: L Weeks, Daniels.

Portland: Carroll, Perkins, Clarke, Cranny (Linaker 78), Dailey (Doidge 46), Halloran, Litherland, Marshallsay, Lamb, Whyton, Reader. Subs not used: Lambert.