Frome Town 1 Portishead Town 2
Match Report by Matt Gillett / 25th April
Southern League Division One South
Portishead Town came from behind to beat the new Southern League Division 1 South Champions Frome Town. The 2-1 win, a thirteenth league game unbeaten and thirteenth away victory of the campaign, secured an incredible final place of 2nd in the table.
The sides renewed acquaintances four days after Frome edged a terrific Somerset Premier Cup Final. First blood here to the hosts when Callum Gould met a 5th minute right-wing cross to score with an excellent volley. Ollie Woodhouse then hooked away from his 6-yard box and Posset keeper Jakob Glover pulled off a vital 12thminute save as Frome turned up the heat.
Portishead grew into the game. Jamie Adams found Jay Murray, his mazy run and shot brought an acrobatic save from Frome keeper Kyle Phillips. Next Owen Humphries went close. Aron Robbins, staunch at the back, cleared long to Ethan Feltham and Phillips needed to be on his toes to deny him. Frome threatened too, getting the ball forward early and Glover made another great stop on 40 minutes. At the other end Mitch Osmond tested Phillips as the half ended.
Frome came fast out the blocks second-half as Glover pulled out another save denying Archie Ferris, then Adams made a crucial tackle. But in the 52nd minute it was all square; from a Frome throw-in Posset broke left and Jack Thorne delivered a pinpoint cross for the leaping Feltham to nod home. Woodhouse and centre-back partner Hamish Hurst made frequent clearances as Frome pressed and Glover got his gloves to a number of testing crosses.
Humphries willingness to make weaving runs with the ball repeatedly opened up options for the Portishead attack. His 60thminute through ball looked to have put Murray clear but for a marginal offside. On 64 minutes, after Adams won possession and Feltham held the ball up, Humphries set Murray away again and the No7 finished confidently to put the visitors in front.
Matt Britton, after a strong midfield display, had made way for Tom Llewellyn and as we entered the final ten minutes Callum Eastwood replaced Humphries. Alongside the seemingly tireless Osmond they helped repel Frome’s efforts to get back in the game. Good shape and game management from Posset, holding possession wherever possible with the final substitutes Lucas Vowles and Sam Watkins also involved.
Frome don’t buckle though. To see out the win, Portishead needed to defend a last injury-time corner when, in a reverse of Tuesday’s game, it was the Frome keeper thrown up into the penalty area.
Manager Kye Mountford, his staff and players have treated us to thrilling entertainment and unprecedented success. We have, for the last three years, truly been Walking in a Mountford Wonderland.
