Match report: Stuttering Brockenhurst FC handed shock 2-0 Wessex League Premier Division loss by relegation-threatened Portland United FC
Relegation-threatened Portland United secured three crucial points in their fight for survival, leaving pre-match favourites Brockenhurst empty-handed on Saturday.
After a cagey first half, the Badgers quickly conceded after George Stuttle headed home before having salt rubbed in the wound late when Josh Camp scored in added time.
The two sides endured a scrappy start to the match, with possession frequently squandered and chances being few and far between.
Danny Ackland’s team made a bright start to the match, with defender Sam Steel’s decent, goal-bound header cleared off the line, but Portland grew into the game.
Just after the 20th-minute mark, Portland capitalised on a mistake in defence. Still, a heroic goal-saving tackle from Rian Drake momentarily stemmed the danger before Jordi Valero saved well to keep the Brockenhurst’s clean sheet intact.
The visitors enjoyed a dominant spell as the half came to a close. Jake Adams delivered a sublime ball through to Jamie Webber, who ran in on goal. He got his shot away, but Tom Jobe saved well.
With just eight minutes of the second half played, Beale delivered a free-kick from wide that found the head of a determined Stuttle. His powerful header flew past Valero, stunning the guests.
Brockenhurst responded well, with Adams rattling the frame and Ben Atiako-Hall missing the target with the goal at his mercy.
With the final whistle moments away, Ackland’s men threw the kitchen sink at Portland, pushing higher and higher up the pitch in search of the elusive leveller, allowing Camp to latch onto a hoofed clearance and lift it over the keeper.
The Badgers have two home matches coming up next. First, they take on Cowes Sports tomorrow (Tuesday) night at 7.45pm before hosting Wincanton Town on Saturday at 3pm.
Brockenhurst: J. Valero, J. Torniainen, R. Drake, R. Taylor, T. Wellman, S. Steel, H. Bunce, L. Gray, D. Walker, J. Adams, J. Webber. Subs: J. Francis, C. Burns, B. Channell, A. Demira, B. Atiako-Hall.
