By Matt Gillett / 13th April

Wow. ‘Convincing win’ doesn’t even come close. Even by high scoring Portishead Town’s standards an 8-0 win, with hat-tricks from both Jay Murray and Kyle Egan, in another potentially tricky fixture, was some statement of intent.

Portishead, starting Callum Eastwood in midfield their only change, operated at high tempo from the word go. StretchingIvybridge as they got passes off quickly, snapping into tackles and pressing high up the pitch. Their dynamism of movement, the angles created for flowing passing moves, and the always present goal threat make this Posset team an absolute joy to watch.

With only 12 minutes gone, having already worked Ivybridge’s keeper, Posset were ahead. Murray rose to meet Egan’s left side free-kick with a glancing header into the net. 2 minutes later they doubled the lead. Under pressure Ivybridge lost possession by their own area and, with the keeper out of position, Egan gloriously struck home from distance.

In the 23rd minute that man Egan curled his corner to Toby Lawrence who nodded home at the far post (they almost replicated the move later in the half). And on 26 minutes it was 4-0; Mitch Osmond won the ball high allowing Egan to release Murray with a perfect pass, he drew the keeper and scored. Ivybridge had no answer to Posset’s energy and rotation. Sadly, injury forced Eastwood off after just 34 minutes, Jake Packham substituting, but there was no respite for the visitors. Murray bagged his hat-trick on 40 minutes, heading home after left-back Jason Quick’s excellent overlapping run and cross. 5 goals by half-time – and it could easily have been more.

Taking the opportunity to make changes Portishead introduced Calum Townsend and Elliot Ripley at the break, and Josh Honey soon after. After such a breathless first half the pace lessened as Posset absorbed the changes. Portishead keeper Ryan Thacker, having had little to do, moved smartly to save a 60th minute shot from distance as Ivybridge tried to offer a threat. The resulting corner proved the visitors undoing: Egan hooked clear to Murray; he held the ball up and fed Townsend who played a perfect pass for Egan to add number 6.

Another sweeping 70th minute move and it was 7-0. Osmond played short to Egan, another lovely ball to Murray out right with his cross drilled in by Packham. Not quite finished yet, in the 72nd minute Murray set Honey free down the right. Although the substitute’s powerful effort was well saved Egan followed up for his hat-trick.

An exemplary Portishead display, every one of the 16 players contributing on an afternoon where Ivybridge just couldn’t live with them. Posset’s lead at the top remains 4 points with 2 to play, and 1 win required…