Bristol Manor Farm 0 Portishead Town 3

By Matt Gillett / 18th November

Portishead Town deservedly triumphed 3-0 in a great atmosphere befitting a local derby. The result restores Posset to the top of the table on goal difference from Winchester City.  

A short drive to Bristol Manor Farm it may be, but one illustrating just how far Portishead have travelled in such a short period of time, a first competitive meeting with this established Southern League team. On the front foot from the off, Jay Murray’s 3rd minute run deep into Manor farm territory signalled their intent. A minute later Ethan Feltham’s pass almost got Lucas Vowles in as Manor Farm sat deep trying to contain Posset.

Hamish Hurst’s perfectly timed sliding tackle halted a Manor Farm surge but, buoyed by the midfield work-rate of Mitch Osmond and Tom Llewellyn, Portishead had the lion’s share of attacks. It took a last man tackle to stop Feltham on 24 minutes, his battling qualities took him into the box. Murray, much in evidence all over the attack, had a shot blocked by Manor Farm keeper Owen Crawford after a 26th minute weaving run. As Manor Farm broke down the pitch Ryan Thacker stretched to tip a left wing effort on to the post.

Then in the 31st minute Kyle Egan’s powerful left wing surge found Murray, his cross was helped on by Feltham and Lucas Vowles finished well for the opening goal. In the 44th minute Murray and Aron Robbins combined with Feltham who drew a foul outside the box. Osmond’s superb free kick was tipped over by Crawford.

As the second half got underway Feltham and Murray both went close to extending the lead. With Posset harrying all over the pitch Manor Farm could find little time on the ball. Robbins made a 58th minute characteristic charge forward before finding Feltham, he cut in and fired narrowly wide. But an excellent team move a minute later and it was 2-0: Osmond forward to Vowles who released Murray to strike high into the net.

On 65 minutes superb anticipation from Thacker, racing to the left edge of his box to save at the feet of a home side attacker. Manor Farm, rebuilding with a promising young team, stuck at it but got little joy faced, for example, with Jamie Adams experience and Ollie Woodhouse’s impeccable reading of the game.

No great surprise then when on 87 minutes Portishead scored another, Feltham felled in the box and Egan blasting in the penalty. There was an added time red card for Dean Griffiths and substitute Jack Thorne twice went close as Posset saw the game out.

Next it’s Saturday’s home game against, you’ve guessed it, Winchester City. Where else would you possibly want to be?