Upwey & Broadwey 2

GILLINGHAM TOWN RESERVES 0

LATE goals from Sam Nichols and Ethan Devaney handed Upwey & Broadwey a welcome home win over Gillingham Town Reserves.

The Dorset Senior League outfit were left reeling by several departures during the close season but it appears things are beginning to take shape again.

Following a disappointing 5-2 defeat at Wareham Rangers on the opening day, Upwey were determined to bounce back.

But for the first hour the game looked destined to remain goalless with neither side showing the desired quality to break the deadlock.

However, following a goal saving intervention from Adam Billings on 65 minutes, the hosts suddenly came to life with teenager Nichols putting them ahead moments later with a fantastic strike into the bottom-left corner of the net.

The Gills immediately went in search of a leveller but Upwey’s defence held firm with the evergreen Don Wellman coming out of retirement and providing the type of leadership that was lacking the previous week.

With more space opening up all over the pitch, Pete Bochonko and Devaney began to provide a huge threat on the break and it was the latter that eventually put the game to bed with five minutes remaining with a trademark finish.

Simon Ansell, who took the reins of Upwey in the absence of Steve Reynolds, said: “It was a scrappy game for the first hour and it was not until Adam made that vital tackle that we really began to get it together.

“Sam scored for the second successive week and then Ethan grabbed a second to seal the three points, and slowly but surely it looks like things are beginning to come together again.

“The last couple of months have not been easy but with a couple more additions, I think we will be almost there.

“Pete and Ethan are looking like they could form a good partnership up front and Sam has impressed after stepping up a couple of leagues.

“A lot of credit also has to go to Dom, who provided that experienced head at the back, and Adam, who has done a good job filling in at centre-half even though he does not like playing there.

“However, man of the match was Ben Porteous. He switched from left-back to right-back and was superb.

“We also still have Justin Heredge and Sean Stewart to come back from injury and suspension respectively, so hopefully all bodes well for the future.”

Upwey: Cowne, Porteous, Billings, Wellman, Pearce, Young, Frost, Purnell, Nichols, Devaney, Bochonko. Subs not used: Clark, Crawford, Pettitt, Ansell.