Portishead Town 4 Bideford 1
By Matt Gillett / 28th October
A night Portishead’s strength in depth was clearly in evidence, ending a busy October with a very good 4-1 home win against Bideford.
After their hectic schedule Portishead made a number of changes. Keeper Fin Croft, defenders Hamish Hurst and James Byrne all started with Lucas Vowles also earning a place up front after his excellent second half display at Swindon Supermarine. And it was Vowles linking well with Ethan Feltham and Jay Murray as Posset threatened early on. In the 10th minute Tom Llewellyn gained possession and found Vowles, he fed Feltham whose powerful shot forced Bideford’s keeper Attwood to parry over the bar.
Bideford, living dangerously with a high defensive line, survived through a succession of tight offside decisions and last–man tackles as Portishead hit a number of early passes forward. The alert Attwood also left his box to make several clearances.
The overlapping Jamie Adams was frequently involved as Posset moved the ball at tempo. The breakthrough came on 32 minutes. After combining with Feltham again Vowles was fouled in the area. Feltham decisively smashed the penalty home. But in the 48th minute Bideford’s first real effort on target brought Javan Wright’s well struck equaliser.
Portishead nearly restored the lead within 15 seconds of the restart, Jayden Nielsen’s effort deflected wide. Even so Bideford now presented a greater threat and Posset showed their defensive discipline. Ollie Woodhouse made a characteristically good block before Croft dived to keep out the follow-up. Portishead’s keeper produced another confident display, commanding in his box and constantly shouting encouragement to his defence.
In a 63rd minute double change Jack Thorne replaced Vowles and Nielsen made way for Callum Eastwood, returning to Bristol Road after a short spell at Clevedon. The popular Eastwood, such a big part of Posset’s last two hugely successful seasons, added strength and energy to the midfield.
Thorne’s impact was immediate: Woodhouse’s raking ball out right found Murray, he crossed to Feltham and when his effort was blocked Thorne was on hand to score with his first touch. In the 65th minute Thorne nearly had another when, from Feltham’s cross, his header was tipped over by Attwood. After 70 minutes a right foot shot by Mitch Osmond – again a bundle of energy throughout – was saved by Attwood at full stretch. Not to be denied Feltham headed in for 3-1 ahead from Osmond’s resultant corner.
A rampant Portishead added a fourth on 81 minutes. Croft launched the ball downfield; Thorne outmuscled his defender to go clear and coolly finished under Attwood. In added time Thorne almost had his hat-trick flicking wide a cross from substitute Jaden Neale, making his first team debut. Job well done.
Jack Davidson