Malvern Town 3 Portishead Town 1

By Matt Gillett / 15th November

Defeat for Portishead Town ending their eight-match unbeaten run in this highly competitive league. Despite taking the lead with a well worked goal, Portishead ultimately went down 3-1 to a strong Malvern Town.

Portishead, in 4-3-3 formation, faced a Malvern side victorious in their last two games.  As the hosts broke in the 3rdminute an alert Posset keeper Ryan Thacker saved well with his body and then his feet.

At the other end Kyle Egan sprayed a pass to Aron Robbins out left, he fed Ethan Feltham with his powerful drive pushed over by Josh Bishop in the Malvern goal. On 9 minutes Posset were ahead: Thacker kicked early and long, Jay Murray took possession and played a slide rule pass to Jack Thorne who calmly stroked home. Murray constantly threatened, popping up in pockets of space, with Thorne too always willing to take defenders on.

Malvern had their share of the ball but Portishead’s disciplined shape, and several good interceptions by Hamish Hurst and Ollie Woodhouse, restricted their chances. Even so, they levelled on 35 minutes, Sam Clark glancing in a right wing cross. Thacker then had to field a 41st minute shot from distance. A minute later Feltham’s tenacity won the ball out right but his driven cross just evaded Thorne, so all square at halftime.

Early second period Posset pushed full backs Jamie Adams and Robbins up high with Llewellyn, as usual winning more than his share of tackles, sitting deep. In the 58th minute Vowles replaced Thorne as Portishead went 4-3-1-2, Murray operating just behind the strikers.  Vowles who came close to restoring Portishead’s lead after 67 minutes, firing just wide after Murray and Feltham combined to release him.  

Thacker saved well from a strong shot from the right but Joe Tumelty’s ensuing corner went in at the near post, 2-1 to Malvern with 70 minutes gone. Responding Feltham broke left but the diving Murray couldn’t get a clean connection on his cross. On 80 minutes Mitch Osmond’s well struck shot, from Egan’s pass, drew a diving save.

As Portishead pressed to equalise the hosts threatened danger on the break, Thacker reacting sharply to a shot from halfway. On 83 minutes though it became 3-1, Harry Clark with a good finish for Malvern. Posset threw on Callum Eastwood, Jaden Neale and Rio Fitton with Eastwood getting in a shot that went over. No further goals despite lengthy additional time.

So just a third league defeat in 15 games for Portishead who lie 2nd in the table. Thoughts now turn to Tuesday night’s local derby at Bristol Manor Farm when the Posset fans, much in evidence yesterday, will once again be out in force.