Larkhall Athletic 1 Portishead Town 1

Match Report by Matt Gillett / 3rd April

Southern League Division One South

A hard-fought, but thoroughly deserved, point for Portishead Town as they came back from a goal down at Larkhall Athletic to draw 1-1. Portishead pushed hard to grab a late winner but it finished all square.

In beautiful surroundings high on the hill, the strong, swirling wind made conditions difficult for both teams. There were no early chances as defences remained in control. For Portishead Ollie Woodhouse and Hamish Hurst kept a tight rein on the division’s top scorer Dawid Regula and strike partner Harvey Pritchard. Likewise, Ethan Feltham, always a winning runner up top of the pitch, was closely marshalled by Larkhall defenders. The first shot in anger brought a 29th minute save from Posset keeper Jakob Glover.

The match sprang to life in the 41st minute. Woodhouse won a header near the halfway line; Jay Murray was away down the right and his cross just eluded the stretching Feltham. Larkhall countered and Glover rushed from his box to kick clear long. Owen Humphries won possession out left, cut inside and shot but was denied by Larkhall keeper Liam Armstrong.

In the opening minute of the second-half ex-Portishead loanee Freddie King saw his cross-shot blocked on the line by Jamie Adams, Hurst and Glover combined to deal with the loose ball. Jack Thorne substituted for Humphries after 56 minutes, and was involved straightaway with his flick-header nearly setting Feltham clear but Armstrong dived promptly at the centre-forward’s feet.

Then, just as Posset pressed forward, Larkhall broke the deadlock. It looked a clear foul on Woodhouse to gain possession but the referee waved play on. Regula advanced and finished well past Glover, the first goal against Portishead in six matches. The injured Hurst was replaced by Mason Winter before Woodhouse put in a superb tackle on the touchline to prevent Larkhall going clear.

More changes with Lucas Vowles and Corey Evans on for Feltham and Murray. Portishead’s high tempo passing, Mitch Osmond and Kyle Egan much involved, forced Larkhall back. In a final change Sam Watkins replaced Aron Robbins who, like Adams, had shown his customary overlapping from full-back. Thorne’s pressure forced an 86th minute corner and on 88 minutes Winter pushed forward to win another. Egan spun the kick right into the 6-yard box and in the melee, Woodhouse forced the ball home for 1-1. The large Posset travelling support rose to acclaim the late equaliser.

Matt Britton made a crucial 93rd minute block as Larkhall threatened while Vowles went close at the other end. Deep, deep in added time Armstrong clawed away another Egan in-swinging corner from under his crossbar.

As always great spirit right to the end, Portishead’s play-off bid continues.