First Defeat of the Season for Posset

Saltash United v Portishead Town, Western League Premier, Saturday 1st August

Portishead Town suffered their first defeat of the Western League season as two late goals handed Saltash United all three points at Kimberley Stadium.

On a dry, dusty surface with an unpredictable bounce that resembled a worn cricket wicket more than a football pitch, both sides found it difficult to play with any rhythm. Quality was at a premium throughout much of the afternoon, with clear-cut chances few and far between.

Saltash created the first real opening when Henry Donovan's powerful effort was superbly tipped over the crossbar by James Walker, making his Portishead debut.

The visitors gradually grew into the contest and went closest through Matt Britton, whose header was scooped away by Saltash goalkeeper Jordan Duffey.

With the difficult conditions making flowing football almost impossible, the game became increasingly direct. Hamish Hurst and Ollie Woodhouse dealt superbly with a regular stream of long balls, while Jack Thorne and Ethan Feltham worked tirelessly up front, chasing lost causes and providing an outlet whenever Portishead were able to build attacks. In a contest that frequently bypassed the midfield, Britton, Mitch Osmond and Jamie Adams were often starved of possession but continued to battle relentlessly throughout.

The game remained a cagey affair until the closing moments of the first half when Feltham was sent racing clear. After rounding Duffey, the forward could only find the side netting after being forced wide.

Portishead enjoyed the better of the possession after the restart, while the hosts were content to defend deep and look for opportunities with direct balls forward. Aron Robbins glanced a header narrowly wide from an inch-perfect Kyle Egan corner before Britton headed over as the Posset searched for the breakthrough.

Instead, it was Saltash who struck with 15 minutes remaining. A long kick from Duffey released Saltash down the left, and after the initial effort came back off the crossbar, Donovan reacted quickest to turn home his fifth goal in three league games.

Kye Mountford responded by introducing Dean Preddie. The substitute almost made an immediate impact when the ball broke kindly to him inside the penalty area, but he lifted his effort over the crossbar. Portishead continued to enjoy plenty of possession but were unable to find the equaliser.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 80th minute when a free-kick from inside the Portishead half was delivered to the back post, where the unmarked Joe Preece was on hand to finish.

Portishead continued to push forward and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when Jamie Adams rose to head home a late consolation, but there was no time left to mount a comeback as the visitors returned from Cornwall empty-handed.

Every season brings its bumps in the road, and this was one of them. But if this group of players and management has proved anything over the past three years, it is that they know how to respond to setbacks. The opportunity to do just that comes quickly, as attention turns to Tuesday evening when Portishead welcome Brislington to Bristol Road.