Bideford 1 Portishead Town 2

Match Report by Darren Vowles / 21st February

Southern League Division One South

Portishead Town battled through gruelling conditions at the Sports Ground to return from Devon with three much-needed points. Lining up on a heavy Bideford pitch, the visitors made two changes from the previous weekend, including a first league start since September for the returning Mason Winter.

The first half was a war of attrition as both sides struggled with a bobbly surface and fierce winds. Ethan Feltham thought he had earned an early penalty after a collision with Bideford keeper Shaun Semmens, but the referee remained unmoved. At the other end, Jakob Glover was largely untroubled by half-chances that flew high of his goal.

Darren Vowles

Posset’s best opening of the half came via Jay Murray, whose pinpoint cross was headed just wide by Lucas Vowles. Glover was finally called into action during injury time, producing two vital stops from Jamie Hearsey and Archie Reay to keep the scores level at the break.

The breakthrough arrived early in the second half. After Sam Wright initially denied Feltham on the goal line, Mitch Osmond’s resulting corner caused chaos in the box, allowing Callum Eastwood to fire home. Portishead were on top now and went close to doubling their lead when Ollie Woodhouse and then Aron Robbins both came close with headers.

The task grew harder for the hosts in the 70th minute when Reay was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on substitute Matt Britton. With five minutes remaining, Jack Thorne, introduced from the bench, beat his marker to deliver a dangerous cross that was turned into his own net by Wright under pressure from Murray. The goal sparked mass celebrations in front of the vocal travelling posset supporters.

Ella Vowles

Despite a late consolation goal from Javan Wright, Portishead comfortably saw out injury time. While the conditions prevented their trademark passing football, the squad will be delighted to have found a way to win, with a battling performance.