Pethick's pain is Portlands gain
by Graham Elenor

Wednesday 14 July 2004

A BATTLING display by Portland United helped them spring a surprise victory over a largely experimental Weymouth side at Grove Corner last night.

The only goal of the game came on six minutes when a right wing cross caused confusion in the Terras defence and

former Brighton defender Robbie Pethick looped a header past his own goalkeeper Simon Evans.

After that the Terras had the lion's share of possession but they were unable to break down a resolute Blues defence, despite a string of chances on which they were unable to capitalise.

The first came in the ninth minute when the industrious Kevin Gill found ex-Brentford striker Stephen Hughes, but he poked a left foot shot narrowly wide, while two minutes later the visitors claims for a penalty were turned down by referee Bill Lillington after Ian Hutchinson went down in the area under a strong challenge from Dan Cullen.

The Terras continued to press and had perhaps their best chance when a left wing attack initiated by John Waldock led to a through ball evading the on-coming Nigel Evans in the Blues goal, only for Dave Wallace to get back and clear from the goal line.

Gill and Hughes again combined in the 20th minute and this time the

striker's left foot shot from 20 yards was tipped over the bar by Evans, while a swift interchange down the left between Hutchinson and Simon Browne created an opening for Hughes, but he turned his left foot shot wide of the post.

The Terras forced a succession of corners, but despite their superiority of possession they were unable to test Evans unduly, while the Weymouth rearguard had little trouble in

dealing with the Blues sporadic attacking bursts, although on the stroke

of half-time Browne was booked after

a skirmish with Portland striker

Levi Dailey, who was also cautioned.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with the Conference side dictating most of the play without ever really stamping their authority on the game.

Play became more disjointed after a series of substitutions from both teams and the only real chance was created by Hughes, who found Gill after intercepting a weak goal kick.

The midfielder, however, shot tamely at substitute goalkeeper Lee Cuff, who was never really troubled, handling competently as the Terras still forced the pace without ever really threatening to equalise.

Portland manager Andy Mason was understandably delighted with his team's performance. "I was a little bit worried," he said. "As we had only had three training sessions, but I told the lads that we had to match them for effort and this was what we did. We worked hard and never gave up and I was particularly pleased by Dave Wallace in defence and Dave Whalley who worked tirelessly in midfield"

Portland: Evans, Cullen, Wallace, Morgan, Hegg, Perkins, Whalley, White, Dailey, Mason, Mutch

Weymouth: Evans, Pethick, Browne, Waldock Dennis, Gill, Barandiarna, Hutchinson, Hughes, Sutherland, Rodrigues.