By Matt Gillett / 14th September

Tough afternoon in Hampshire as Portishead Town suffered a first league defeat of the season. A very good Winchester City team triumphed 4-0, a harsh scoreline with two goals in the final 10 minutes as Portishead strove to get back in the game.

Portishead, with left back James Byrne debuting, were quick out of the blocks.  Ethan Feltham fired just over after only 16 seconds following good work by Lucas Vowles. Early on it was all Posset, crisp passing set up another Feltham shot and a Kyle Egan effort pushed over by Winchester’s keeper.

Winchester were rarely out of their half before taking an 11th minute lead. Good skill and a cross from their right saw the ball glanced home by Dan Bradshaw.  Positive response from Posset with Feltham’s shot blocked before Mason Winter stung the goalie’s palms. Jay Murray’s 23rd minute battling persistence forced the keeper to save with his feet. The pendulum swung and Portishead keeper Ryan Thacker dived bravely at a forward’s feet on 30 minutes before Winter’s last ditch block tackle a minute later.Thacker pushed over a 34th minute free kick, then Hamish Hurst cleared a dangerous cross on 37 minutes, so the solitary goal at the break.

Darren Vowles

Feltham and Vowles linked well to set Mitch Osmond for a powerful 47th minute drive that the keeper palmed away. Thacker was back in action on 50 minutes, saving low from a free kick. Ollie Woodhouse’s perfectly timed block in the box came just moments after a powerful Winchester shot struck the upright. After 58 minutes loanee Freddie King replaced Vowles, the substitute skilfully releasing Feltham who shot just wide.

But on 63 minutes it was 2-0, a Winchester corner was cleared to the edge of the box but Thacker could do nothing about Callum Buckley’s stunning left foot volley that sent the ball into the net. Posset threw on another attacker Jack Thorne before Winchester were reduced to 10 men for an off the ball incident.

Portishead continued to press with energy and determination to get back in the game but Winchester defended resolutely. Inevitably with Portishead committing to attack they were vulnerable to the counter and so it proved, Winchester substitute Olly Balmer adding breakaway goals in the 82nd and 86th minutes. Posset pushed to the last, Feltham and Thorne efforts going close before the afternoon ended with the referee showing Feltham a red card for a challenge in the corner.

This is a tough level to compete at but Portishead have 9 points from a possible 12 and hold 7th position. This squad will go again next week, no worries about that.

Darren Vowles