BLACKFIELD & Langley remain ten points behind Sydenhams Premier leaders Andover Town after Saturday’s competitive and hard-fought 2-0 win at AFC Portchester.

A goal in each half by Sam Griffin and AFC Totton loanee Nimes Pina secured the points.

But Blackfield’s stand-out player was former England Schools’ under-18 international Jordan Ngalo, who dominated the engine room and carved open the Portchester defence with a crossfield pass which set up Griffin for the opening 15th-minute goal.

Portchester pressed forward during the remainder of the half without really threatening and were under strong pressure themselves at the start of the second period.

Blackfield had strong appeals for a penalty for handball waved away by the referee before Pina, dual-signed from AFC Totton, clinched the Watersiders’ win, forcing home Liam Robinson’s corner.

Portuguese forward Pina comes from pedigree stock. He is a distant cousin of Eder, scorer of the only goal as Portugal beat France in last year’s European Championship final.

The 34-year-old offers Blackfield a different option up top following the loss of 19-goal top scorer Jamie White to Evo-Stik South East leaders Moneyfields.

Saluting Blackfield’s strength on the day, Portchester boss Ian Saunders said: “Sometimes you have to hold your hand up and admit the other team were better than you.”

The victory sets the Watersiders up nicely for Saturday’s eagerly-awaited trip to Premier Division rivals Sholing in the FA Vase third round.