Portishead Town 1 Mousehole 2

By Matt Gillett / 20th December

A frustrating afternoon for Portishead Town. They saw their half–time lead reversed as Mousehole took the points on the long trek back to Cornwall with a 2-1 win.

Almost the perfect start for Portishead inside the first minute, Jack Thorne crossed and Ethan Feltham bundled the ball home only for the referee to give a questionable handball against the No.9. Not many chances during a cagey opening but from a good move on 14 minutes Lucas Vowles chested down to Kyle Egan, he rolled the ball into Feltham’s path who shot wide of the post.

Good passing out right in the 33rd minute involving Jamie Adams, Tom Llewellyn culminated in Mitch Osmond playing in Vowles. The striker’s low shot was saved by Mousehole keeper Ollie Chenoweth. A couple of minutes later Posset lost Kyle Egan who picked up an injury in a block tackle, Callum Eastwood replaced him.

Jack Davidson

With half–time approaching Portishead, who had carried the greater threat, made the breakthrough. Hamish Hurst launched a long throw into the 6-yard box. Mousehole couldn’t clear and Eastwood lashed the ball in for a 1-0 lead at the break.

Deja vu as Posset almost scored in the opening minute of the second period. Feltham and Vowles combined effectively before Thorne shot over. But Mousehole developed as an attacking force as the half progressed. There were warning signs in the 53rd minute when Mousehole broke down the left with a shot going just wide of Ryan Thacker’s far post. On 58 minutes the visitors levelled, a corner was recycled out to the left and this time Jacob Kevern finished low past Thacker.

Adams, Ollie Woodhouse and Aron Robbins all had to make defensive interventions as Mousehole threatened. Posset then fell behind after 67 minutes, Liam Prynn scoring close in following a Mousehole long throw.

Portishead rallied and, having already brought on Jaden Neale, now added Jordan Williams and Dean Griffiths to the mix. Posset repeatedly launched the ball forward but Mousehole got bodies in the way and cleared their lines. With Portishead throwing numbers up field the visitors remained a threat on the break.

Posset were unable to find the opening they needed and went down to just a second home league defeat of the season. Call it a cliché, there are no easy games at this level. Despite their current mid-table position Mousehole are full of quick, mobile players who are all comfortable on the ball.

An off day for Posset who couldn’t find their normal zip and creativity, not helped by the loss of Egan and the absence of Jay Murray. Nevertheless, competing in a tough, unforgiving league Portishead remain 2nd in the table.