Brixham 0 Portishead Town 3

Match Report by Matt Gillett / 14th April

Southern League Division One South

Job done in Devon as Portishead Town extended their league unbeaten run to eleven games with a 3-0 win at Brixham AFC. A devastating burst of three goals in eleven second-half minutes settled matters to the joy of the travelling support.

A night where the weather was a testing factor, the pitch at times shrouded in sea mist with the wind carrying endless sheets of fine rain onto both players and spectators. Brixham, last season promoted with Portishead, are fighting for survival at the wrong end of the table. They showed plenty of intent launching early balls forward but, on the greasy surface, Hamish Hurst and Ollie Woodhouse smothered any threat.

The midfield partnership of Mitch Osmond and Jamie Adams began to dominate as Posset got their foot on the ball. Few in the way of chances until the 31st minute, right-back Sam Watkins’ shot was saved by Brixham keeper Matt Wonnacott who then denied Lucas Vowles’ follow-up. Three minutes later Wonnacott parried a powerful Adams effort. At the end of the half playmaker Kyle Egan, so often pulling the strings, broke right with Vowles just unable to convert his cross.

It took a save in the first minute of the second period to deny Jay Murray after Vowles released him. Posset keeper Jakob Glover was needed to deal with a 49th minute shot but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock. Adams 51st minute pass found Murray, he went at the defence before locating Egan who slammed home. In the 54th minute Osmond strained to win a header, the ball reached Egan. His sweeping pass sent Jack Thorne scampering clear, he held off a challenge before finishing well.

Posset worked tirelessly all over the field to prevent Brixham getting any foothold, left-back Mason Winter for example snuffed out a number of surges down his flanks. And on 64 minutes Portishead extended their lead: Thorne to Egan who, despite close company, made space to cross and Murray thumped in for 3-0. A minute later Thorne and Egan made way for Jaden Neale and Corey Evans, shortly after it was Dean Griffiths and Rio Fitton replacing Murray and Hurst.

In the 77th minute Wonnacott was again in action saving first from Griffiths on the left of the box and then fielding a powerful Woodhouse shot from the edge of the area. Portishead continued to press forward, seeking further goals. Yet again Wonnacott was needed to save a 91st minute Neale shot after Adams freed him. A minute later an isolated Brixham break brought a good stop from Glover as Posset preserved a seventh clean sheet in eight league games.

Battle hardened, this Portishead side goes from strength to strength. Now they prepare for this weekend’s colossal battle with Malvern Town.