Following on from a hard-fought win away at Swanage last week, Stur entertained Portland in what would prove to be a very difficult game, particularly considering the fact that in the reverse fixture Portland won at a canter, 4-0. Added to this was the fact that Stur had never beaten Portland since their entry into the Dorset Premier League.

The home side were without Jack Geddes due to injury, causing Reynolds to move to right-back, Goodwin to drop deeper into midfield and Joe Turner to make his debut after impressing for the Reserves in his first game last week.

The early exchanges were relatively tentative, although Portland's passing ability was still clear to see, with both wingers and the central midfielders shifting the ball quickly and effectively. Stur themselves were also threatening, using the pace of the 3 front men to create problems in the wide channels. However the visitors came closest to opening the scoring, when a neat move created a chance for a midfield runner; fortunately the linesman's flag went up for offside and the move was ended.

The opening goal of the game came through the hard work and persistence of the Marshall side. Closing down and pressing high up the pitch was forcing mistakes throughout the Portland team, and after such work, Goodwin found himself coming out of a tackle the better before embarking on a mazy run. Down the right he skipped past four players before driving the ball low into Manuel's feet. With his back to goal, the league's top scorer dropped a shoulder, swivelling and striking the ball low into the bottom left-hand corner. 1-0.

Despite the score line, Portland were by no means deflated, attacking particularly effectively down the Stur right. When a winger closed in on the box he was tripped by Wood and a free-kick was awarded. Despite this dangerous position, the set piece would prove to be advantageous to the home side. The cross was a poor one which struck the wall, and when Manuel one the ensuing tackle, Stur could break away with the ball at the feet of the captain, Williams. After driving forward, the midfielder chipped the ball into the path of Thomas, who ran at the heart of the Portland defence, leaving players in his wake. When he closed in on the area, Thomas fired the ball low and into the bottom right corner. A perfect breakaway goal. 2-0 at half time.

It was made clear during the interval that the away side were unlikely to lay down and die in the second half, and that Marshall would have to up their game in order to walk away with the 3 points. This proved to be the case and with a more attacking formation, Portland began to create problems through the middle. On numerous occasions, corners into the box were hacked clear of the line in a desperate attempt to safeguard the home team's goal. At one point in particular, a shot was fired through the crowded 6-yard box on target for a goal, when Wood swung at the ball, cannoning it off the crossbar and away to safety.

At various points Stur panicked and were forced to rush things defensively, but an effective rearguard action from the back four, as well as the midfield trio of Goodwin, Williams and Jones in front of them, meant that the home goal came out of this encounter unscathed and the 3 points were secured.

A fantastic and memorable win, although it will need to be replicated if Stur are to come away from Weymouth next Saturday with any sort of favourable result.