Portishead Town 11 Bishops Lydeard 1

By Matt Gillett / 2nd December

An 11-1 victory powered Portishead Town into the next round of the Somerset Cup on a night when Ethan Feltham reached, and passed, the 100 goal mark for the club. A spirited Bishops Lydeard simply couldn’t contain Portishead’s devastating attacking play.

A much changed starting line-up gave valuable pitch time to a number of the squad, including younger players developed through the club.

Portishead went ahead inside 2 minutes. Jaden Neale, in his first start, burst down the right wing crossing for Jack Thorne to side-foot in. Posset were close again before doubling the lead in the 10th minute. Feltham pounced on an undercooked back pass, beat the keeper and rolled into an empty net. Feltham’s 100th goal for Portishead in only his 103rd game – just digest that for a minute.

A minute later Portishead forced another defensive slip, Lucas Vowles finishing coolly. After 16 minutes impressive midfielder Jake Packham won possession, drove forward and delivered a perfect pass for Thorne to curl in for 4-0. It was 5-0 on 28 minutes; Thorne kept the ball alive on the left touchline then crossed for Neale to head in.

Soon after keeper Fin Croft had to be substituted by debutant Ethan Noble. After 35 minutes Feltham smashed in for 6-0. Thorne completed a hat-trick on 37 minutes from Feltham’s pass. After a foul on Feltham in the box the No.9 bagged his own hat-trick with a 40th minute penalty. In the 43rd minute Feltham sent Neale clear to make it 9-0. Thank goodness for the electronic scoreboard to help keep track.

Calum Townsend replaced Aron Robbins at half-time. It was good to see appearances by Townsend and Alex O’Keeffe, players with extensive Posset service. Townsend displayed his characteristic smooth touch and only a very good save from Bishops Lydeard keeper Holland denied him a goal, for his part O’Keeffe was strong in the tackle and used the ball well.

Indeed, there were fine performances wherever you looked. At centre-back Callum Eastwood and Robbins provided leadership from the back, James Byrne was comfortable in both full-back positions and Rio Fitton showed quality in defence and coming forward.        

Second-half, Bishops Lydeard saw more possession, always looking to play passing football. Even so Holland had to produce some very good saves. But Posset weren’t to be denied double-figures, on 74 minutes substitute Jay Murray’s solo run and finish made it 10-0. The visitors got on the scoresheet when Collins curled in an excellent 78th minute free-kick. However, a minute later Neale was crossing for Vowles to round-off the 11-1 scoreline. Finally Noble tipped over a last minute Bishops Lydeard shot from distance.

Great attitude by Bishops Lydeard who never stopped battling. But this was Posset’s night, their dominant display proof of the strength in depth at the club.