Brixham 1 Portishead Town 3

By Matt Gillett / 12th May

At The Double! After a hard fought and enthralling final Portishead Town deservedly triumphed 3-1 against worthy opponents to add the Les Phillips Cup to the Western League Premier title completing another piece of history.

Early skirmishes saw both sides fighting to establish superiority. Brixham, battle hardened from their recent playoff triumph, went long, played percentages and hoped to profit from the second ball.  A 7th minute punt forward saw Posset keeper Ryan Thatcher racing from his box to clear, with a Brixham striker putting his follow up just wide.

Ethan Feltham, always a threat and linking well with Calum Townsend, nearly got in from Jay Murray’s through ball and then following a corner saw his effort hacked off the line. Brixham meanwhile relished the opportunity to launch long throws and corners into the heart of the Portishead area. Several times Thacker had to evade the crowd scene around him to fist clear under pressure.

But Posset made the breakthrough. After Feltham’s 27th minute shot from the left of the area struck a Brixham defender’s arm, the referee pointed to the spot. Kyle Egan confidently smashed the penalty home for 1-0.

Brixham responded and on 33 minutes Johansen’s low shot from the right of Posset’s box was held well by Thacker. The Devonians did equalise in the 39th minute when Kieran Parkin headed in at the far post. All square at halftime.

The contrasting styles were in evidence again after the break. Brixham continued to go direct at every opportunity.  As they broke away on the right in the 54th minute Thacker produced a strong left hand, saving at his near post.

If, understandably on a bumpy pitch against difficult opposition, Portishead could not always play their quick passing game they showed other qualities in abundance.  There was true grit in withstanding Brixham’s onslaught – Toby Lawrence marshalled his defence and in midfield Mitch Osmond and Tom Llewellyn contested everything.

One thing you know about this Portishead side is their constant goal threat. Substitute Owen Punselie had only just joined the fray when in the 66th minute, following an Egan corner, he recycled the ball from the left. His cross was pulled back and Lawrence hit home to restore the lead.

Thacker blocked a powerful 69th minute shot with his left leg, then settled all around him with a confident catch under pressure from the resulting corner. Portishead introduced Eliot Ripley further strengthening at the back. And Posset’s spirit was summed up in the 89th minute, getting bodies on the line clearing their own box then seconds later Feltham’s determination up top earned a free kick. Egan’s perfect curled delivery found Sean Keet who headed back across goal and into the net. 3-1 and finally you felt the game should now be won.

So it proved, a monumental effort had taken this team – backed by a large and vociferous travelling support – to new heights. The squad, the coaching staff, all those behind the scenes, the supporters will replay this season over and over before moving on to new exciting challenges. Enjoy.

Thanks to Ollie Riddoch Photography for all the photographs seen here.