BLACKFIELD & Langley’s hopes of reeling in Sydenhams Premier leaders Andover Town were dealt a hammer blow on Saturday – by the reigning league champions.

After a shaky start to their title defence, Portland United won a rollercoaster contest 3-2 at Gang Warily for their third straight league win.

Blackfield, who went into the match unbeaten in five league and cup games, grabbed a sixth-minute lead through Liam Robinson.

Lewis Clarke levelled from close-range five minutes later and struck again just before half-time, tapping in Sanchez Baker’s cross to send the visitors in 2-1 up.

The pendulum swung the Watersiders’ way when Sam Griffin levelled 2-2 early in the second half, but there was plenty more drama to come.

Both sides were awarded penalties with Jamie Beasley putting Portland 3-2 up before Sean Lillington denied Blackfield from the spot.

Alex Halloran, who had been yellow-carded for disputing the Blackfield penalty, was then booked again for a late tackle, reducing Portland to ten men.

But the Islanders held out for victory, much to the satisfaction of boss Simon Browne who took on the difficult task of succeeding title-winning manager Gary Bailey in the summer.

Hailing it “a fantastic result”, Browne said: “Blackfield have been one of the powerhouses of the Wessex League and to go into their backyard and get a 3-2 win is a great result and thoroughly deserved.

“I hope this will prove to them (the players) that, while we’ve had a bit of an indifferent start to the season after last year’s success, we’re starting to get to the point where they believe we are a good side and I’d like to think we can kick on from here.”

Blackfield now have a free week to prepare for Saturday’s FA Vase second round clash at Exmouth Town.

The Watersiders have wished speedy recoveries to injured duo Kane Daysh (broken tibia) and Harrison Fay (torn knee ligaments), who both had operations last week.

*A LATE 25-yard super strike by Joe Bye clinched AFC Portchester a 1-0 win at Hamble Club.

It continued a bleak spell for the promoted Sydenhams One champions who have lost their last five Premier Division games.

Hamble host Bush Hill in the Southampton Senior Cup tomorrow evening (Tuesday) ahead of Saturday’s all-Sydenhams Premier FA Vase clash with Brockenhurst at the Hamble Community Facility.

*TEAM Solent rose to 15th by winning a nine-goal thriller 6-3 at Fareham Town.

After going 3-2 up through Ash Tattersall, Scott Hamilton and Sammy Kessack, Fareham imploded in the second half with manager Pete Stiles likening their defending to “the Chuckle Brothers.”

He certainly didn’t see the funny side as Hisham Kasimu (3), Silvano Obeng, Julian Stahler and Ade Olumuyiwa earned the Students top marks.

Team Solent face Tavistock in the FA Vase at Test Park on Saturday.

SHAFTESBURY pulled off the weekend’s shock result in the Sydenhams Premier Division, beating fourth-placed Horndean 2-1 on their own patch.

Deans boss Michael Birmingham described it as “just as bad day at the office” for his side and said his players were entitled to “the odd off-day” having worked so hard to get where they are.

Jack Maloney fired Horndean in front with a seventh-minute penalty after his brother Josh had been fouled.

But Ash Clarke hauled the visitors back on terms before Jack Mitchell – dubbed the ‘mini dynamo’ by Shaftesbury - followed up with a left-foot shot after his initial right-foot effort had been parried.

That made it five wins on the bounce in all competitions for The Rockies ahead of tomorrow's league trip to Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Bemerton are themselves on a good run of form. They beat struggling Petersfield Town 5-0 at Love Lane on Saturday – their fourth straight league and cup victory.

The Harlequins led 1-0 at half-time through Jordan Matthews, who went on to claim a hat-trick. Scott Hassell and Kelvin Robinson also scored.

An own goal gifted Cowes Sports the lead at Bournemouth Poppies, but the hosts hit back for a 3-1 win courtesy of Sean Leadbetter and subs Louis Coulson and Charlie Gilbert