Melksham Town 0 Portishead Town 4
By Matt Gillett / 1st November
A 4-0 triumph on the road for Portishead Town in a game that they bossed from start to finish. This fifth away league win keeps Portishead top and boosted their goal difference to a very impressive +22.
Portishead set up in a 4-3-3 formation with a front line of Jay Murray, Ethan Feltham and Jack Thorne. The visitors, on top virtually from the first whistle, went ahead after just 3 minutes. A classy team move was ended with Kyle Egan stroking home. In the 5th minute Thorne and Egan combined sending Feltham through, his shot blocked by Melksham keeper Adam Forster. The scrambling Forster then grabbed Murray’s cross with Feltham inches away. Next Murray shot just wide before Feltham saw an effort hit the post from Egan’s assist. All this with barely 10 minutes on the clock. In a rare home attack Jamie Adams came across from right back, making a great interception preventing a Melksham run on goal.
Posset played at tempo, creating passing angles all over the pitch. In midfield Tom Llewellyn was much in evidence winning the ball and moving it on accurately, Mitch Osmond too was everywhere whilst Egan always finds time and space. With defenders Adams, Hamish Hurst, Ollie Woodhouse and Aron Robbins all comfortable in possession Melksham were often chasing shadows.
The tricky Murray’s 20th minute break forward was halted by Nathan Davis’s rough challenge from behind earning him a straight red.
The second goal came on 32 minutes: with Osmond’s corner only partly cleared, Egan’s shot was blocked and Robbins followed up to score. Thorne and Murray both came close to extending the lead further before halftime.
More of the same second-half as Portishead continued to dominate. Forster parried another Thorne effort before Posset keeper Fin Croft was finally called into action in the 59thminute, diving well at a forward’s feet. Portishead coaching staff demanded energy levels were maintained as Lucas Vowles and Jayden Nielsen joined the action. Osmond’s quality 68th minute delivery, from the latest of a string of corners, saw Woodhouse head in for 3-0.
A minute later midweek debutant Jaden Neale replaced Feltham after his typically all action display. Looking a very good prospect Neale is skilful, quick and willing to take his defender on. After 74 minutes Callum Eastwood brought his presence to bear in place of the busy Osmond. Little surprise Posset notched another goal in added time. Neale found Nielsen on the right bye-line in the area. Making space he sent a left foot cross that Vowles nodded home.
Melksham Town couldn’t be accused of any lack of effort but this was an utterly convincing display from Portishead Town, on the day superior in every department.
Jack Davidson