Portishead Town 1 Billericay Town 0

By Darren Vowles / 26th October

Portishead Town Ladies booked their place in the second round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for only the second time in the club’s history after a dramatic late win over Billericay Town.

Portishead went into the game as underdogs against their higher league opponents, who compete in FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division. But spectators of the early exchanges wouldn’t have guessed that as posset started brightly. Indeed, it was Emily Mackler, in the Billericay goal, who was the busier keeper in the opening minutes. Mia Blazey stung the keeper’s palm as early as the second minute, and Chelsea Heal saw an effort saved after a driving run into the area. As the game settled down posset continued to look dangerous. Alanna Torrington and Adele Brown were imperious in the centre of the park, as they looked to free the Portishead wide players at every opportunity. In the seventeenth minute they did just that; Shannon Holloway was slipped in only to see her effort clawed away by the impressive Mackler.

Jack Davidson

As the first half progressed Billericay grew into the game and enjoyed their best period of the game so far. As half time approached Billericay forward Melissa Jones took aim from distance only for Esme Lamb, in the Portishead goal, to produce a fantastic save low to her left to keep the scores level at the break.

The second half began in similar fashion, with Portishead looking a threat. Louise Hiett continued to find space and link well. Mia Blazey, up front, was again denied by Mackler from close range and then fired over when found by a great Kelly Jones ball from the left. Shannon Holloway then fired a ball across goal from the right, which evaded everyone, as posset looked to turn their dominance into a goal. As time went on Billericay again enjoyed a little more possession and the Portishead backline, expertly marshalled throughout by centre backs Emily Lindsay and Nathalie Zajaczkowski, were forced to clear their lines from several crosses and a dangerous corner.

Deep into injury time, as penalties loomed, Portishead kept pushing and got their deserved reward, from an unlikely source. Chelsea Heal stretched to keep possession in the penalty area and the ball broke to fellow fullback Phoebe Tate who kept her composure to drill an effort low to Mackler’s left and into the back of the net. Cue delirious celebrations by the Portishead players and coaching staff.

There was still time for controversy after a very high boot in Emily Lindsay’s face sparked a coming together for which Adele Brown and Billericay’s Megan McAniskey both received red cards.

Shortly afterwards the full-time whistle blew, to the cheers of the posset supporters, securing Portishead’s place in the hat for the Second Round of the FA Cup.