By Matt Gillett / 23rd March

Disappointment in Devon as Portishead Town’s 10 game winning run ended in a  3-0 defeat.  On a poor pitch, in a game of few chances, Barnstaple Town took their opportunities whilst Posset also picked up a red card and a couple of injuries.

Portishead, backed by a very large and noisy away support, started brightly enough with Ethan Feltham shooting over inside 40 seconds from a Mitch Osmond pass.  However, on the bumpy, dry and uneven surface Posset’s normal, quick passing style was not possible with the extra touch often required.  Barnstaple were happy to hit it long and high, battling for loose balls. In truth Portishead looked comfortable with anything the hosts had to offer, Toby Lawrence and Sean Keet dominant at the back.

In the 28th minute, from a good Posset move down the left, Jason Quick crossed with the stretching Feltham just failing to finish at the far post. But on 40 minutes Barnstaple were ahead with their first shot. For once, Portishead didn’t clear a long ball and Josh Parry shot into the corner for 1-0.

Barnstaple doubled their lead 5 minutes into the second half. Posset keeper Ryan Thacker palmed away a rare home corner but from the edge of the box Billy Hopcroft hit a screamer into the top corner.  Now the Devon outfit really had something to hold on to. The game became disjointed, fractured and fractious – just how Barnstaple wanted it. Seeking to frustrate, they hacked the ball clear or out of the ground, broke up play and took an age at restarts.

No shortage of Portishead effort as they pressed but openings were at a premium. A 75th minute red card for Hamish Hurst left Posset up against it. Even so, on 86 minutes Murray almost brought Posset back into it. Getting on the end of a long ball he brought a great save from the Barnstaple keeper who tipped his shot onto the bar and over.

In the 88th minute as Barnstaple countered, Thacker rushed from his area to make a tackle. The ball broke to Dan Wilson who finished into the empty net for 3-0. Going from bad to worse, Murray came off injured and then at full time Feltham had to be helped to the dressing room after also taking a knock.

A bad day but Portishead’s lead at the top of the table is still 4 points. And let’s remember how positively this young team has responded to any setbacks in this, their first season at this level. Roll on Tuesday night at home to Street…

All photographs copywrite Darren Vowles