BRIDPORT 0

PORTLAND UNITED 4

Ryan 23, McKechnie 34, 38 pen, Leake 52

PORTLAND United won the Dorset derby bragging rights with a 4-0 pre-season friendly victory at Bridport.

Bridport forced Portland keeper Mike Edgar into three big saves in the first five minutes, but the Blues dominated thereafter.

Aaron Ryan slotted underneath Bees’ keeper Will Butler and Ryan McKechnie netted a brace before half-time, including a penalty.

Josh Leake notched a fourth in the second half and McKechnie then missed a penalty chance for his hat-trick as Portland eased home.

Their biggest scares all came in the game’s infancy, beginning when Bridport’s Riley Greenwood-Neate played Tony Carlile into space on the right wing.

Bees’ captain Carlile was able to skirt around Danny Griffiths but could not find a way past Edgar, who tipped over his powerful rising drive in the third minute.

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Edgar was called upon again in the fifth minute to make a stunning double save, beating away Greenwood-Neate’s free-kick before saving Carlile’s follow-up at point-blank range.

Portland soon began to dominate with midfielders Franklyn Clarke and McKechnie bossing the tempo.

Sure enough, Portland constructed a lovely passing move for their opening goal in the 23rd minute.

New signing Matty Burrows spun into space on the left before picking out Ryan who nutmegged the onrushing Butler.

Portland grabbed their second in bizarre circumstances when McKechnie’s header from Leake’s cross was initially ruled out for offside.

However, after consulting his linesman in a lengthy delay, the referee awarded the goal.

Livewire winger Burrows was also involved in Portland’s third, seven minutes from half-time, when he was brought down in the box by Butler.

McKechnie then stepped up to slam his penalty down the middle for 3-0.

With Bridport offering little but the hard work rate of Carlile up front, Portland continued to look more threatening as Clarke’s free-kick was saved from 25 yards out.

After the break, it took just seven minutes for Portland to extend their lead when Leake fired home via the post and Butler’s fingertips.

Portland sub Tom Butcher then worked Butler from distance before a dangerous low McKechnie cross was well cut out at the near post by Dan Baggs.

Bridport should have pulled a goal back when sub Christian Blango got his feet in a tangle, before fellow sub Riley Weedon pulled a 45-yard lob wide.

Moments after Burrows shot wide on the break, Bridport sub Mike Hill fizzed a rasping drive at goal which Edgar did well to nudge over.

Late on, Clarke burst forward on the break to win another penalty, only for McKechnie to drag his spot-kick wide of the left-hand post on a comfortable evening for the Blues.

Bees: Butler, Evans, Thomas, Hansford, Baggs, Jarvis, Greenwood-Neate, Chalwell, Carlile, McNamara, Leader. Subs: Hill, Gall, Weedon, Adler, Blango.

Blues: Edgar, Griffiths, Hutchinson, Tennant, Poole, F Clarke, Burrows, McKechnie, Ryan, Cleaver, Leake. Subs: Borthwick, Knott, Lucas, Butcher.

*Portland United host their centenary day on Saturday from 10.30am until late evening.

Among the attractions are an under-18s clash with the reserve team, a legends match, live music acts including The Leggomen, a bouncy castle and face painting plus food, drink and refreshments.