The Belvedere where dying to put to rest their cup final lose to Portland Town in the league at Budmouth this evening in a crucial must win game for second place.
The Belvedere had a strong squad for the game which for the first time in a while meant they could name three subs, Portland Town seemed to have a changed side to the team the Belvedere unluckily lost out to in the cup to 5 days earlier.
With the team nursing a few knocks and another cup semi final coming up the players were placed in different positions and having subs meant players could be rested by Dulston.
The game got off to a casual start but with Belve showing dominace from the start with a flurry of attacks but no end product, then Ash Hine nodded a flick on for Kev Lowe to tap in from close range to break the deadlock.1-0.
The next goal came from a defensive mistake which led to J.Rawlings tapping in for 2-0. The belvedere were certainly showing no signs of nerves tonight with some great football being played and cutting through the Portland backline like a hot knife through butter. A fierce cross from Sowerby made its way to Hine who neatly finished for 3-1.
A surging run on the left wing from Campbell saw him unselfishly pull back for Lowe to tap in for his second of the game. 4-1
With emotions running high from the cup defeat the Belve skipper was victim to some poor refereeing and there was some strong words exchanged between referee and Ross-MacKenzie resulting in him getting a Yellow. Mr Dixon also found himself in the book for using tasteful language during the game. With the belvedere taking it easy throughout the game they made a few changes and MacKenzie found himself running the line, The Portland boys lofted a long hoof forward and it was clearly offside but when the referee over ruled the Lino and Portland scored a consolation making it 4-2, MacKenzie was furious and let his thoughts be known to the Ref who straight away issued a second yellow and sent the Lino off.
There was still more drama to come as a Portland player hacked down the Belve striker Attree in the box, the ref gave a penalty and as Campbell set up to dispatch calls for Lowe to complete his hat-trick came and unselfishly Campbell stepped aside for Lowe to take. The Striker took a weak strike which was saved by the Portland Keeper but on the rebound he was quick enough to make a mends and rounded the keeper only to be brought down again! This time up stepped Campbell for the second time, usually full of confidence the midfield lynch pin annoyed from not taking the first penalty smashed his onto the cross bar!
The game was a cracking game to watch and Belvedere showed the way they can play when under no pressure, they controlled the game throughout and Portland were lucky to get their two goals. All in all justice was done form the cup final and Belve can now hope to secure 2nd place on the last day of the season as well as reach another cup final if they Beat the Dolci on Sunday!
