Football: Brace for Carl as Services are silenced

PORTLAND UNITED 4

CARL McClements took his chance to impress Portland boss Gary Bailey with both hands as his two goals helped the islanders ease to a 4-0 win at the Victory Stadium on Saturday.

Former Weymouth striker Mc- Clements came into the Portland starting XI for the Sydenhams Wessex Division One clash after Ed Bastick picked up a groin injury in training.

And following the match, Bailey praised the centre-forward for the patience he has shown in the early stages of the campaign.

Bailey told Echosport: “We want to go into every game as strong as we can be so it was a bit of a blow to lose Ed in training.

“But Carl came in and got a start, and I have to say he has been very patient starting on the bench for the last two games.

“When he got his chance he took it with both hands.

“He scored two goals and his patience paid off, and not only that but it has given me a selection headache for the next game – and that’s what we want.”

Bailey was also proud of the way his players reacted to their 2-1 defeat at Romsey Town a week earlier.

He added: “Losing to Romsey probably gave us the reality check we needed.

“It showed that we need to be on it every week to be successful, and I was proud of the way the players responded in Portsmouth, it was a magnificent reaction.

“I’m not surprised by how we are doing so far because I back my players to rise to the challenge.”

Portland took the lead inside five minutes on Saturday, with Ross Doidge slotting home from eight yards.

Despite bossing the first half, the Blues had to wait until the 48th minute for their second goal.

McClements latched on to a great ball from Gareth Will to grab his first of the afternoon, and then Doidge set up Alex Godfrey a few minutes later for the third.

It was 4-0 on 65 minutes when Carl Morris crossed from the left, Godfrey laid the ball back to Mc- Clements and the striker did the rest.

Blues: Lillington, Smith, Whyton, Peck, Bessant, Will, Doidge, Halloran (Mutch 85), Morris (Critchell 75), McClements, Godfrey (Linaker 60).