Portishead Town 3 Willand Rovers 1

By Matt Gillett / 18th October

Portishead Town’s third straight win as they deservedly overcame Willand Rovers 3-1 in an entertaining encounter at Bristol Road.

Portishead’s line-up was unsurprisingly unchanged after the hugely impressive midweek triumph at Hartpury. An attacking 4-2-3-1 formation saw Ethan Feltham leading the line, Kyle Egan sitting just behind him with Jayden Nielsen and Jay Murray out wide. A lively Willand started positively requiring Jamie Adams and Ollie Woodhouse to make important early defensive challenges. Posset keeper Ryan Thacker palmed away a 4th minute shot, Aron Robbins completing the clearance.

But, with the fluidity of Portishead’s movement, the home side asserted themselves. After great work by Adams, impressive throughout, Feltham shot just over on 12 minutes. Then in the 19th minute, with the referee playing a good advantage after a heavy challenge on Mitch Osmond, the ball reached Feltham who smashed home for 1-0. Just 6 minutes later Willand levelled. Winning the ball up high the visitors closed on goal, Thacker making an excellent save before Bailey Kempster curled in the follow-up.

Jack Davidson

Positive Portishead response: after another Adams cross, Murray’s acrobatic effort was just over before Feltham’s header rattled the bar from Murray’s assist. An Egan shot was saved low by Willand’s keeper Andrew Sowden-Bird. In the 37th minute the lead was restored as Robbins headed home Egan’s corner. In time added Murray’s shot was saved by Sowden-Bird’s legs, then an offside flag chalked off another effort by the No7. Halftime 2-1.

Early second half, successive weaving runs by Murray into the box caused havoc. Then, following Nielsen’s dangerous burst forward, Feltham saw his 50th minute shot pushed out for a corner. In an absorbing contest there were physical battles to admire all over the pitch,  Sean Keet excelling at the back for Portishead. Tom Llewellyn, from one of his many winning tackles fed Feltham, on to Murray who shot just wide.

The next goal felt key. Adams made a crucial interception in his own box after 62 minutes and only 2 minutes later Portishead made it 3-1, a cracker too. Egan’s right wing cross, headed back across goal by Murray for Osmond to nod home– richly deserved for another non-stop midfield display. A 70thminute bad foul on Murray saw a second yellow for Ash Hewitt leaving Willand a man down. Nielsen forced Sowden-Bird into action in the 73rd minute.  The visitors remained a threat though, another perfectly timed Llewellyn interception on the 6-yard box thwarting Willand.

Hamish Hurst joined the defence, Adams and Robbins pushing up as wing backs. In another top notch team display Posset battled to the end for every ball. Victory takes Portishead 5th in the table with 21 points.