PORTLAND UNITED 1 WINCANTON TOWN 7

CHAMPIONS Portland United went out with a whimper as they rounded off their season with a heavy defeat to a red-hot Wincanton Town last night.

The Grove Corner finale saw the Blues parade their Dorset Premier League, League Cup and Charity Shield titles prior to kick-off but the mood changed dramatically for the home side as the visitors went on to inflict United’s heaviest loss of the campaign.

Portland boss Stuart Heath, whose side played 120 minutes in Tuesday night’s cup final with Chickerell United, believes fatigue played a big part in the islanders’ display.

He said: “The scoreline didn’t reflect the game nor does it change how pleased I am with the players for how far they’ve come since November.

“We wanted to go out on a good note but the players were exhausted. We asked them if they wanted a rest but they all wanted the play the final game.

“Everything Wincanton hit went in while we missed a lot of chances.”

Wincanton showed their intentions from the off and inside two minutes Nick Carroll was forced to save from Paul Leatherland.

Lewis Whyton could have put the hosts ahead soon after but was thwarted by the legs of visiting keeper Aaron Hearne Leatherland tried his luck from distance again in the 10th minute only to see Carroll palm the ball out for a corner. The resultant set-piece was played short and it became a case of third time lucky for Leatherland who drilled the ball between Carroll and the near post.

Wincanton were 2-0 up just a minute later as miscommunication between John Litherland and his keeper resulted in the former slicing into his own net from Brad Peters’ cross.

Portland hit back though and reduced the deficit on 17 minutes. Adam Linaker delivered a pin-point cross to Sam Clarke who guided the ball home via the crossbar.

A clearance on the Wincaton goal-line kept the visitors in front and moments later they extended their advantage.

Carroll was hesitant coming for a cross from the right and Darren White stole in to head Wincanton’s third of the night.

Paul Lambert cleared from in front of his own keeper to prevent a fourth while at the other end Alex Halloran, Whyton and Ross Doidge all had chances to reduce the arrears.

Wincanton maintained the Midas touch in the second period and saw Leatherland fire in his second after Portland failed to clear.

Heath gave debuts to Portland Youth products Matt Breakwell, Ross Boatswain and Jordan Spencley but Town duo Nick Percel and Peters added gloss to the scoreline.

And the rout was complete shortly before the end of the 80-minute contest with substitute Chris Adams netting.

There was still time for Breakwall to almost grab a consolation but Portland’s bad luck in front of goal continued and the effort was halted on the goal-line.

Portland: Carroll, Cranny, Lambert, Perkins, Clarke (Spencley 58), Litherland, Halloran, Doidge (Breakwell 49), Whyton, Linaker, Reader (Boatswain 54).

Attendance: 142