Les Phillips Cup Final Preview

The 2024/25 season reaches its conclusion with the Western League showpiece cup final between Portishead Town and Brixham.

Portishead, already making club history by playing in the Western Premier Division for the first time, enjoyed a remarkable season. Despite playing their first eleven games away from home, as Bristol Road was redeveloped, they stormed to the league title. They finished on 91 points, five points clear of their nearest challengers Clevedon Town, and with only 5 league defeats all season.

Brixham were formed just 13 years ago with the merger of Brixham United and Brixham Villa, and initially played in the lower echelons of the South Devon League. Gradually the Wall Park club grew in stature and rose to the Western League, after winning the Peninsua League East, just 2 years ago. This season they enjoyed a brilliant autumn and stormed to the top of the table, before a blip in winter saw them drop into the play-off places. Finishing third they comfortably saw off Barnstaple 3-0 in the semi-final, before a dramatic 2-1 victory over Clevedon Town in the play-off final.

Massively successful seasons for both clubs already then, with both having gained promotion to the Southern League. Now they will both be looking for the icing on the cake by claiming the Les Phillips Cup for the first time in their histories.

Previous Meetings

28/09/24 Western Premier Division at Wall Park

Brixham 3-2 Portishead Town

It was a tight affair when the two clubs met early in the season. After falling behind early on, through Aaron Wellington, Ethan Feltham scored to draw posset level at half-time. A penalty from Charlie Johansen early in the second half restored Brixham’s lead only for Calum Townsend to equalise again. With both teams looking for the winner it was Brixham’s Wellington, with his second of the game, who struck to take the three points.

08/02/25 Western Premier Division at Bristol Road

Portishead Town 6-2 Brixham

Portishead blew the visitors away in a stunning first half display when the teams met at Bristol Road. Tom Llewellyn, Ethan Feltham, Jason Quick and Kyle Egan all on the score sheet before posset were reduced to ten men when Owen Punselie saw red. Egan grabbed his second from the penalty spot before Charlie Johansen pulled one back for Brixham. All this happened in a frantic first half, as they went in 5-1. Jay Murray got his name on the scoresheet before Ollie Shelton grabbed a late consolation, as the game finished 6-2 to the champions.

Information for Supporters

Prices for Sunday are £8 for adults and £5 concessions (with £1 going to charity)

A printed programme will be available for £2

Flares are NOT allowed in the ground. Tiverton FC will eject anyone known to have used them.

Directions To Ground By Road

1. Exit M5 at Junction 27
2. Head towards Tiverton on the A361 dual carriageway for about 7 miles. Ignore the first junction for A396 Tiverton and Bickleigh (Gornhay Cross) and keep going a little further until you reach a large roundabout.
3. Turn left at the roundabout, taking first exit (A3126) for the Town Centre and Castle. Continue along that road for about 400 yards, passing a college, sports fields and Tiverton Rugby club until you get to a mini roundabout.
4. Go straight across (first exit) the mini roundabout. You will see Ladysmead to your right. Go along the road for about 200 yards and turn right just past the BP station.

Parking

There is parking at the club, if you find that the car park is full stewards will direct you to alternative parking nearby. For matches where a large crowd is expected look out for special road signs that will direct you to nearby parking.