Portland United 2 v 1 Fareham Town

Saturday 13th April 2019
Wessex League Premier Division
New Grove Corner, Portland
Admission: £6.00
Programme: 80p
Attendance: 126

Despite feeling somewhat under the weather today with a cold, I decided to have a long day out today to one of senior football's outposts, in order to tick off my last ground in the Wessex League Premier Division before the end of this season. It would certainly prove to be a case of saving one of the best till last.

To get to Portland by public transport, it is necessary to walk from Weymouth train station to the Esplanade, and then catch a bus, taking about half an hour with some spectacular views along the way on the approach to the "isle" along the Chesil Beach tombolo and then looking back from high up to the mainland, and New Grove Corner is about a five minute walk from the nearest bus stop. A fixture board, along with the club's name engraved onto a low stone wall, are located at the entrance to the complex from the main road, and after walking up a modest slope and through a car parking area, the entrance to the ground is located behind one of the goals. Once inside, the ground just oozes character, very neat and tidy, and very little in the way of bland modern identikit furniture. A really friendly and welcoming feel to the place started as I entered the ground, and continued throughout my visit. A tea bar window is located within the same small kiosk as the entrance window hatch, whilst a large sky blue building resembling a large residential house (at least in terms of its shape) is located towards the corner flag. A large bar area is located upstairs, offering an excellent vantage point of the action on inclement days - indeed, this ground is renowned for being not for the faint hearted on wintry days, with its elevated and exposed location. Behind the goal closest to the entrance is a stand containing varieties of bench seating inside. Stretching along the length closest to the clubhouse it is possible to stand on top of a steep grass bank, with four wooden benches also available to sit on. A glimpse of the sea is visible from this area, and along the bottom of the grass bank there is hard standing. On the opposite side, a stand straddles the half way line, with two rows of seating inside, and this length is lined with a stone wall - very apt in Portland - with a row of houses close behind. Behind the remaining end there is just hard standing. The programme was a real bargain, priced at just 80p and consisting of 32 pages, it is packed with interesting reading material and stats, has a rather eye catching, colourful layout, and a few jokes and quizzes to add some variety. An insert is even provided with the actual line-ups once they have been confirmed ahead of kick-off. Little wonder that the club has won awards for its programme in recent years.

Portland United have had some great times in recent seasons, winning the Dorset Premier League twice before being promoted to the Wessex League as runners-up in the 2014-15 season, and then immediately going on to win Division One and then the Premier Division in successive seasons. Last season proved a little more tricky, finishing in 15th place in the 22 team division, but they are back towards the top end of the table this season, coming into this game in fifth place, following 18 wins and three draws from their 34 league games. With a nine point deficit to third placed Bournemouth Poppies, albeit with two games in hand, a fourth placed finish is probably the best that Portland can aim for. Their recent form has been poor though, losing their last five league games, including a defeat to today's opponents 1-0 last month. Fareham Town came into this game in 17th place, following 11 wins and four draws from their 36 league games, but they are assured of survival. They were also not in the greatest of form though, losing their last three league games since that win against Portland.

Fortunately overcast conditions ahead of kick off gave way to bright sunshine throughout the game, albeit with a chilly breeze remaining. The opening goal came with barely two minutes on the clock, when Sam Buckler nodded home a corner to give the hosts the lead. That was not a sign of things to come really, as the first half was a competitive battle but with few chances being created by either side. On the stroke of half time though, a hopeful punt from deep on the wing swirled in the wind and the keeper had to be alert to tip the ball over the bar.

Into the second half and Portland did double their lead on 49 minutes, a perfectly judged low cross from the left allowed an unmarked Ryan McKechnie to tap the ball home. Fareham pulled a goal back on 58 minutes when a low diagonal ball forward found Lamin Jatta, who took a couple of touches before firing the ball low across the keeper and just inside the far post. Fareham were well back in the game now, although Portland had the clearer chances to score again. But deep into added on time, Fareham had a golden chance to grab a share of the points. Following time wasting by the corner flag by Portland, a long punt forward by the keeper ended in a shot on the turn flying just over the bar. And shortly after, the final whistle blew and Portland claimed the three points, which saw them rise into fourth place in the table.

What was already a long day out for me would be extended still further when a "fatality on the line" at Havant meant that I was stranded at Southampton station for a couple of hours, eventually having to go via Fratton and arriving at Brighton far too late for the last connection home, thereby requiring a taxi journey required to complete my journey, finally getting home at about 1.30am. This did not detract too much from what was a thoroughly enjoyable day out at a highly recommended place to visit, both the island the club itself.