Bishops Cleeve 1 Portishead Town 1
Match Report by Matt Gillett / 7th March
Southern League Division One South
A point well-earned by Portishead Town in a 1-1 draw at Bishops Cleeve as these play-off contenders fought out an enthralling encounter that quickened the pulse.
Portishead manager Kye Mountford opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Jack Thorne, willing to chase everything, as spearhead in attack, and the skilful trio of Jay Murray, Kyle Egan and Owen Humphries lining up behind him. And following a swift 6th minute break Murray found Humphries who fired in the first shot on target. In a fast game Posset began the stronger, Mitch Osmond instrumental in many moves.
In the 22nd minute Hamish Hurst, who like his fellow defenders snuffed out danger all afternoon, showed nimble footwork bringing the ball out of defence. Egan and Osmond combined before Humphries’ shot was pushed out for a corner by home keeper Lewis Clayton.
But on 25 minutes, after Jamie Adams put in a great block to clear danger, Bishops Cleeve Jake Lee scored from the resultant corner. Two minutes later Egan was needed to make a vital clearance as the home side, enjoying their best spell, threatened again.
After 33 minutes Egan stole possession and advanced to link with Murray before Thorne’s rocket was brilliantly tipped over by Clayton. As Bishops Cleeve countered, Mason Winter put in the latest vital tackle. In first-half added time, from a Posset corner Ollie Woodhouse got the ball to Murray whose shot was grabbed by Clayton under the bar.
The second-half continued at the same breathless pace: Egan’s blistering 48th minute effort just cleared the goal, then in the 50th minute Winter crucially intercepted from his 6-yard box. A minute later Winter and Tom Llewellyn made way for Aron Robbins and Matt Britton. Posset forced a corner, Hurst rose to head into Clayton’s arms. A scintillating, one-touch Portishead passing move culminated with Osmond’s shot blocked.
In the 66th minute Dean Griffiths replaced Humphries. A minute more and Bishop’s Cleeve couldn’t clear Osmond’s free-kick into the box and Britton forced in the equaliser. Straight away Portishead broke again, Thorne raced clear only for Clayton to thwart him. Next, Osmond shot over after strong work from Griffiths as Posset turned up the heat.
Back came the hosts with a couple of efforts going close as we entered the final 15 minutes. Adams stuck to the challenge of containing No11 Jay Malshankyj, one of the impressive home forwards on show with Noah Rubio, all left foot, also catching the eye. Adams made another well-timed clearance in the 85th minute whilst Posset keeper Jakob Glover needed to save well in injury time
Both sides strained to edge it but it finished honours even. Portishead stay third, preventing Bishops Cleeve making up any ground on them.
Ollie Riddoch