By Matt Gillett / 26th March

After Saturday’s setback at Barnstaple a statement performance and 6-2 win for Portishead against a very competitive Street side. If you drew up a blueprint for how to bounce back it would look like this.

Posset, adding the physical presence of Dean Griffiths up top and the energetic David Thorne at left back, were fast out of the traps, operating at tempo all over the pitch. On 5 minutes, setting the pattern for the night, Griffiths combined well with strike partner Ethan Feltham who fired just wide.  Street weren’t shy in getting forward either with Portishead’s defence needing to stay resolute.

Griffiths and Feltham had already brought saves from Street’s keeper when Portishead made a 20th minute breakthrough. Keeper Ryan Thacker started a break with a quick kick downfield, Griffiths and Feltham combining with Jay Murray who crossed for Griffiths to head home.

A golden opportunity for Street to level after 24 minutes when Hamish Hurst conceded a penalty but Thacker saved the spot-kick low to his left with the follow up headed over. On 30 minutes it was 2-0. Griffiths battled for Toby Lawrence’s long pass, the ball broke to Feltham who outfoxed his defender and calmly converted. As Street threatened, a vital touch from Hurst turned away a dangerous cross from in front of his own goal.

In the 40th minute another excellent Lawrence pass found Murray, he skilfully beat his defender and fired home. In added time Posset scored again, Hurst was set away on the right with his cross expertly finished by Griffiths.

No letting up as within 20 seconds of the restart Feltham was breaking clear and shooting just wide. On the hour it was 5-0, Griffiths cushioned header setting Feltham away to finish from a tight angle. With Portishead pressing high Street were in constant danger of being dispossessed near their own box. Mitch Osmond’s trademark driving runs helped maintain the high pace.

Feltham got his hat-trick after 77 minutes. From Osmond’s corner, the No.9 peeled away at the far post, set himself and struck home the sweetest of volleys to take him to 31 goals for the season. 3 minutes later after a rampaging run forward substitute Josh Honey saw his cross shot tipped over.

With 6 minutes to go Street pulled a goal back with a good strike past Thacker. Then on 90 minutes they broke to add another, reward for their refusal to throw the towel in and staying positive to the end. A good side who might still trouble the playoffs. But this was Portishead’s night in a display that impressed in every department taking them back 7 points clear at the top with just 4 league games remaining.