Portishead Town 2 Brixham 0
By Matt Gillett / 12th October
Portishead Town responded positively to the gut-wrenching late loss to Westbury United with a hard-earned, but thoroughly deserved, 2-0 victory over a combative Brixham side.
Ethan Feltham returned after suspension and loan signing Jayden Nielsen started on the right of the midfield diamond. Brixham take the direct approach to create pressure and hurt teams. Possessors of a prodigious long throw they also hurled the ball into the box at every opportunity. Portishead had to be on their mettle early on, repelling the visitors attacks. Sean Keet, a tower of strength at the back, outmuscled opponents with Ollie Woodhouse also classy under pressure. Tom Llewellyn worked hard to close space in front of his defence. But it was the home team getting their noses in front after 12 minutes. Jamie Adams’ passed long to Kyle Egan wide right, Jay Murray confidently finishing the cross.
At the other end Ryan Thacker palmed over a powerful 21stminute Brixham effort. Feltham was clearly relishing being back, showing for the ball, soaking up the challenges and constantly hassling defenders. He warmed Brixham keeper Andy Colling’s hands on a couple of occasions, also heading just over. Lucas Vowles also tested Collings whilst Woodhouse had a header blocked by the line. In the 46thminute Brixham were reduced to ten players with a straight red after an off the ball incident, as Posset, already in control, went in a goal to the good.
Second half and Portishead continued to create chances, stretching the now depleted Brixham team. On 55 minutes Vowles played in Feltham who outpaced the defence and forced another save from Collings. In midfield Nielsen,always comfortable in possession, used the ball well. After another fine display, Murray was replaced by Mitch Osmond. Fellow substitute Jack Thorne produced a very lively half an hour using his pace on both flanks. It took a perfectly timed, last ditch tackle in the 70th minute to thwart him in the area. On 74 minutes it was 2-0, Osmond hooked a great ball forward to send Feltham clear. Again, battling his way into the box, the No9 struck home. Just four minutes later Felthamnetted again but was denied by the offside flag.
Now utterly dominant, Posset created chance after chance. Collings saved a Thorne effort; from the resultant corner the keeper made a point blank stop from Aron Robbins. After 82 minutes from yet another corner Keet’s low drive struck the post. In added time Collings denied Feltham and then, in the last knockings, after more excellent work by Nielsen, the keeper made another close range save from Thorne. Portishead’s intensity and creativity more than merited the win, taking them up to 8th place in this highly competitive league.
Jack Davidson