Portishead Town 7 Wincanton Town 0
Match Report by Matt Gillett / 31st March
Somerset FA Francis Hillier Premier Cup semi-final
Another spectacular showing from Portishead Town as they blew away Wincanton Town 7-0 to reach the final of the Somerset FA Premier Cup.
A number of changes for Portishead included new recruit Corey Evans’ first start, Dean Griffiths at centre-back and Ryan Thacker returning in goal for the cup-tied Jakob Glover.
In the opening minute Jack Thorne released Ethan Feltham, he was felled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Kyle Egan assuredly despatched the penalty, the perfect start. Waves of Posset attacks meant it was no surprise the lead was doubled in the 7thminute: Evans held the ball up and fed Feltham who finished from left of the 6-yard box.
Wincanton escaped their half to mount a 9th minute attack. Hamish Hurst tackled well to halt the initial charge before Thacker saved from distance. It was a temporary respite, Egan’s pass sent Thorne galloping down the left. Wincanton’s keeper Marko Radovanovic got a touch on Thorne’s effort but Jay Murray finished from on the goal-line. Just 10 minutes gone and 3-0 you feared for the visitors.
Wincanton rallied and a fine free-kick required a strong left-hand from Thacker. Sam Watkins replaced Tom Llewellyn on 33 minutes, slotting in at right-back with Jamie Adams, an always impressive performer, moving into midfield. Watkins was quickly overlapping as Egan found him twice with searching balls out wide. Radovanovic threw out a leg to deflect Murray’s 39th minute shot when it looked a certain goal. Then Feltham’s header clattered the crossbar in added time.
A driving 53rd minute Feltham run culminated with Thorne bringing another great save from Radovanovic. On 54 minutes Dean Griffiths, solid in defence, made way for Rio Fitton who slotted in well. From Egan’s textbook 58th minute corner, Feltham’s unstoppable header made it 4-0.
This team’s ethos means no easing up or showboating even in a match clearly won. Two minutes more ending a flowing move,Evans passed to Feltham who crossed for Watkins to score at the far post with another powerful header. When Wincanton, who never let their heads drop and always tried to play football, did manage to get forward Posset jealously guarded their clean sheet.
But it was Radovanovic who was constantly in action, saving from Thorne, Evans and Hurst. But he could do nothing when the quick-footed Evans made space and fired in a low shot after 75 minutesfor 6-0. Lucas Vowles, on for Murray, came close before Portishead signed off with another flowing move. Evans ran forward and found Thorne; his measured assist brought a fine finish from substitute Jaden Neale.
A fitting performance and scoreline to bring up Kye Mountford’s 100th victory as Posset manager – and into that final they go.
