By Matt Gillett / 20th April

Portishead Town started the day needing just 3 points to clinch 1st place. But after Clevedon Town’s defeat to Nailsea & Tickenham in the early kick off the championship was done and dusted before a ball was kicked at Bristol Road. Consecutive league titles and back-to-back promotions, let that sink in for a moment.

Ethan Feltham returned after suspension to take his place up front alongside Dean Griffiths, making a remarkable 700thcareer appearance. Understandably in the circumstances there was not the intensity of some recent matches.  Credit to Brislington who, having welcomed Portishead on to the pitch with a guard of honour, showed they were not there simply to make up the numbers. The visitors worked hard, got their foot in and pushed forward whenever possible.  On 20 minutesPortishead keeper Ryan Thacker came smartly off his line saving low to deny Brislington’s No9. By that stage Posset had already come close through Feltham and Jay Murray but, with a strong wind making passing difficult, chances were at a premium. With Tom Llewellyn in evidence across midfield, Mitch Osmond’s energy and Kyle Egan always available,Posset were largely in the ascendancy but it stayed goalless at the break.

Portishead, with the wind now behind them, upped the tempo in the second half. Jason Quick shot wide in the 46th minute, after good work by Feltham and Murray, and just a couple of minutes later the Brislington keeper had to fingertip away the left backs cross. Murray’s header from a long Egan cross brought another stretching save before Osmond’s follow-up was blocked.

Feltham, just wide with a 65th minute overhead kick, is an absolute pest to opposing defenders with his willingness to challenge for, and win, balls he should have no right to. On 82 minutes, under pressure from Posset’s No.9, it was too much for one Brislington defender who floored Feltham with a clear elbow, deservedly earning a straight red. After Brislington cleared the resulting free kick Egan recycled the ball to Murray who showed great feet in the area to leave the defender on his backside. Sub Jake Packham converted Murray’s cross, a 2nd goal off the bench in consecutive games, securing a 1-0 victory.

A 16th clean sheet, their 112th goal in the 37th game and 90 points in a very tough league – who could say Portishead aren’t worthy champions? It just remained for Posset to pick up that richly deserved trophy. Perhaps the game itself won’t live long in the memory but the occasion, and the achievement, certainly will. Kye Mountford, his coaching staff, the players and everyone involved at Posset can be rightly proud of the astonishing progress of this football club.

For more photographs of the trophy presentation click here.

Thanks to Ollie Riddoch Photography for all the photographs seen here.