PORTLAND UNITED 2

Symes, Godfrey

HORNDEAN 2

Scott, Anderson

PORTLAND striker Alex Godfrey produced a stoppage-time thunderbolt to rescue a point for the Blues against 10-man Horndean in their Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division clash at the Weyline Stadium.

Brendon King’s men were given a big boost in the first half as Horndean’s Tanatswa Kanjanda was sent off for what the officials adjudged to be a two-footed lunge on Sam Buckler.

But Ryan McKecnhie, Jamie Symes, Max Buckler and Jamie Beasley all passed up first-half chances as the score remained goalless at the break.

Portland were punished for their profligacy when a poor pass gifted Horndean possession, allowing Bobby Scott to guide a finish past home keeper Steve Boore.

The Blues kept plugging away and teenager Harry Hutchinson helped create a leveller as the left-back’s cross deflected off McKechnie into the path of Symes who buried his effort into the net.

McKechnie and Ben Morris had further chances to put the hosts ahead but more wasteful finishing hindered Portland’s progress.

Horndean would eventually capitalise when substitute Ben Anderson pounced to make it 2-1 following poor Blues defending.

Needing a touch of magic as the clock rolled into added time, Godfrey delivered.

The diminutive striker came off the bench and rifled a screamer past former Weymouth goalkeeper Lloyd Thomas in the 92nd minute to hand Portland a deserved share of the points.

Speaking to Echosport, King was frustrated by the Blues’ lack of a killer touch in front of goal.

He said: “I’m pretty disappointed. We threw away two points, I felt.

“We had 75 per cent of possession but unfortunately we lacked in both areas. Defending wise we weren’t quite good enough and twice gifted them goals.

“Alex has had to get us out of trouble in the last couple of minutes of the game, it was a great strike.

“It shouldn’t have been (that way) – we had the best chances and their keeper’s made some good saves. It’s frustrating.”

Commenting on the red card incident, King had sympathy with the Deans.

“I would’ve been pretty disappointed,” he said. “I thought it was just a yellow.

“But we failed to capitalise on the extra man and went in 0-0 at half-time after getting in some really good positions.”

Portland next host Hamworthy United in the FA Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday (3pm).

Blues: Boore, Bastick, Hutchinson (Godfrey 75), Stewart, L King, S Buckler, Morris, M Buckler (Williams 65), Symes, McKechnie, Beasley (Cox 85). Sub not used: Bessant

Match ball sponsor: Kath and Dave Sanderson

Programme sponsor: Sprint Signs – Neil Smith

Portland man of the match: Ben Morris

Attendance: 87

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