US Portsmouth serve up season's best to take further step towards promotion goal with win over Downton

Efforts from Thomas Cain and Andy Todd inside the opening half-hour helped USP to a 2-0 away win at fellow Division 1 promotion-hopefuls Downton.

A 19th league victory in 27 matches this term has now seen Turnbull’s troops open up a nine-point gap at the top of the table.

The three teams immediately below US Portsmouth, second-placed Bemerton, Hythe & Dibden – in third – and fourth-placed Downton all have at least one game in hand on the leaders.

But with the chasing pack still to play each other and USP, Turnbull would much rather be in the position his team find themselves in.

‘It was really good,’ said the US Portsmouth boss.

‘All the other teams in the promotion mix were there, which made it better.

‘Andover New Street were watching, Hythe were watching and Bemerton were watching.

‘One of those games in hand for Hythe is Andover New Street and another is Bemerton, so they can’t all win them.

‘That’s the beauty of it.

‘We’ve got the points on the board and the teams were fighting against can’t win all of their games because they’ve got to play each other.’

Elliott Turnbull teed up both of the goals as USP recorded what could be a valuable victory.

First, he laid on for Cain to fire the visitors in front on 19 minutes.

Todd was the beneficiary of good work from Elliott Turnbull, netting the second on the half-hour.

Despite the terrible conditions brought by Storm Jorge and the difficult playing surface, Glenn Turnbull praised the way his players rose to the challenge.

In fact, the USP manager credited the showing as the best he’s seen from them this season.

‘We were exceptional, added Turnbull.

‘I think it was the best we’ve played all season.

‘There was the 14 that played, all three subs came on and played well.

‘But more importantly, the two lads that didn’t get on supported right to the end.

‘It was everything that you’d want from a proper squad.

‘Their manager came up to me at the end and said we were the best team they’ve played all season.’

US Portsmouth play host to division-higher Horndean on Tuesday with a place in the Portsmouth Senior Cup semi-final up for grabs.