Portland UNITED 4 BRIDPORT RESERVES 0

STUART Heath enjoyed a winning end to his tenure as Portland United boss.

The Blues recorded their second 4-0 victory in as many games with their latest victims being Bridport Reserves.

Carl Mutch bagged a brace with Sam Pattison and Liam Currell also on the mark as the hosts brought their Magna Dorset Premier League campaign to a successful close.

The result means the islanders stay in pole position but remain third favourites to lift the title following wins elsewhere over the weekend.

Even if they are overhauled by the chasing pack of Hamworthy Recreation and Westland Sports, who both hold games in hand, Heath has been proud of his side’s efforts this season.

The outgoing boss, who is to become Phil Simkin’s assistant at Dorchester Town, said: “It was a good way to finish.

“I was keen for the players to put in a good performance and end the season well, and also put pressure on the teams below us and make them earn the right to overtake us.

“We got back to playing the sort of football we were playing before Christmas and it was good to see the players relax. It’s just a shame we didn’t play more of it after Christmas.

“We’ve managed to get to 86 points, which is a very good total and would normally be enough to win the league. Unfortunately it probably won’t be enough this year.

“I can’t fault the players as they have been fantastic with their commitment and effort. It’s the dropped points since Christmas that have done for us.

“But we can look back on the season with satisfaction. We have amassed so many points and reached the semi-finals of the Dorset Senior Cup.”

Bees’ joint-boss Steve Crabb conceded that United were the better side but was left to rue an early injury to Dan Peart.

He said: “We started okay but then Dan was stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle.

“The ref had actually allowed play to go on and Portland went on and scored. The ref really should have blown up with Dan down injured.

“Their second goal came from a silly free-kick and then we gave away the third.

“I was pleased with how we responded in the second half. We had enough possession but possession doesn’t win you matches.

“We didn’t expect to get anything from the game but to lose Dan early on and concede a goal at the same time didn’t help. It’s a hard place to come without having those setbacks.

“I was pleased with the fact that we kept going in the second half but Portland were the better side.”

Seventh-placed Bridport entertain Swanage Town & Herston tomorrow night before ending their campaign at home to Westland Sports on Thursday.

Blues: Carroll, Cranny, Reader, Whyton, Carter, Litherland, Halloran, Carmichael, Pattison, Currell, Mutch (Linaker 70).

Bees: Cleal, Peart (Gale 5), Day, A Clarke, Bulman, Condliffe, D Lock, Cummings, McAllister (Scovell 55), B Clarke, Evans. Sub not used: M Lock.

Attendance: 115