Portishead Town 0 Westbury United 1
By Matt Gillett / 8th October
A frustrating, and ultimately fruitless, night for Portishead Town as they fell victim to a late, late smash and grab goal. The solitary 92nd minute strike was sufficient for Westbury United to head home with all three points.
Contrasting styles were evident. Portishead side looked to spread the play across the field, Westbury sat deep out of possession and went long when they had the ball. Throughout the match the visitors also deployed long throws into the Posset box whenever the opportunity arose, well dealt with by the home defence.
Mitch Osmond’s excellent 10th minute ball out left found Jay Murray, from his low cross into the box Jack Thorne fired over. In truth though chances were few and far between, Portishead enjoyed the best of the game territorially but Westbury were strong in their defensive shape. In midfield Osmond and Tom Llewellyn worked their socks off probing for gaps, Kyle Egan also seeing plenty of the ball. As Westbury kept the pitch tight, Posset looked to the flanks with full backs Jamie Adams and Aron Robbins pushing forward. No goals at halftime.
It seemed Portishead had made the breakthrough on 51 minutes. Lucas Vowles finished well over the keeper after going clear but celebrations were cut short by the offside flag. Joel Manning, the Westbury keeper was more frequently called into action in the second period. He stopped low from Jack Thorne after 58 minutes, shortly after Thorne forced another save after combining with Egan and Osmond. Manning also needed to react to several powerful Adams efforts from distance.
At the other end Hamish Hurst and the unflappable Ollie Woodhouse repelled Westbury high balls launched from free kicks and throw ins. Portishead goalie Ryan Thacker also came decisively, catching or punching whenever required. And Woodhouse almost ended the deadlock for Posset in the 84th minute when he volleyed Osmond’s corner just over.
In this type of game, the first goal would be crucial. When it’s scored in the 92nd minute inevitably that’s an understatement. Robbins appeared to have a case for a foul on the touchline as he knocked the ball forward but instead the officials ruled the ball had gone out. From the throw Westbury managed to create space in the box and substitute Ali Sen finished well into the corner.
Football has the capacity for elation but it can also kick you right where it hurts. Manager Kye Mountford predicted a hard challenge and so it proved. If Posset hadn’t managed to do enough to win the game they certainly didn’t deserve to lose. Westbury left happy with their night’s work; Portishead meanwhile will dust themselves down ready for Brixham at home on Saturday.
Thanks to Jack Davidson for the photographs.
Darren Vowles