Velocity Wessex League Premier Division – Thursday 18th April 2024
Portland United 1 (Borthwick 64)
Shaftesbury 2 (Sweeney 80, 89)
‘Sweeney nicks it with late brace’
Callum Sweeney struck twice in the last ten minutes to secure our 10th win in a row and third 2-1 away win in a week as we put a dent in Portland United’s play off hopes as Milligan’s scratch team upset the applecart with an outstanding comeback late on.
Louis Kellaway came in for Dan Bartlett with Ryan King getting a first team debut later as we had 13 players available with Dan Bartlett, Ben Satterley, Asa Philips, Tyson Pollard and George Bennett missing. Thursday football is not good to be honest.
Greg Borthwick had broke clear to put the ball past the advancing Shane Murphy to give Portland the lead. We knew they would be tough opponents yet former ‘Rockies’ keeper Harrison Bruton had to keep us out and the home side in the game earning a man of the match performance.
With ten minutes left Sweeney hit a thunderbolt to level and headed the winner a minute from time from a free kick to score his 10th league goal and secure our 9th win in a row!
It is now up to fate what happens on Saturday as we face Andover New Street at Cockrams and AFC Portchester entertain AFC Stoneham at the On Site Group Stadium. Whatever happens it’s play offs and we have a chance.
Portland United – Bruton, Symes, Clark, Buckler, Gadsby, Callow, Wickham, Williams (Capt), Borthwick, Camp, Delves
Subs used- Stuttle, Doyle, Coombes, Dunesby Bent
Shaftesbury – Murphy (Capt), Farrugia, Davidson, Wells, Beard, Perrett, Kellaway, Pitman, Peel, Sweeney, Green
Sub used – King
Booked – Wells, Green
Officials – S.Fall, J.DeSilva, R.Nobbs
Attendance – 181
Review by Avril Lancaster 🐌
Super Sweens – Callum Sweeney won the game late on with a brace.
📸 Ben Chandler Photography