POSSET PROGRESS IN THE FA CUP

Portishead Town v Ardley United, FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay,

Tuesday 11th August 

Report by Matt Gillett

Portishead Town booked their place in the next round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 replay win over Ardley United producing another display of fine football. 

Following Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate, Portishead sought the early breakthrough goal. Owen Humphries, so hard to dispossess, featured prominently with a number of attacking runs as Posset’s rotation tested Ardley. Full-backs Hamish Hurst and Harvey Tierney pushed high at every opportunity as Posset made the pitch big.

On 16 minutes, Humphries released Jack Thorne who crossed for Kyle Egan to shoot just wide. Next Egan’s corner bounced off the Ardley bar. Egan’s 22nd minute measured pass sent Hurst clear, his shot flashed across the goalmouth. Ethan Feltham, operating on the last defenders’ shoulder, presented a constant threat. Meanwhile, any Ardley breaks were snuffed out as Steve Kingdon and Ollie Woodhouse won first balls. Woodhouse also found time for a powerful run from deep. 

Ardley’s dogged resistance was breached after 31 minutes. Hurst kept Mitch Osmond’s free-kick alive and, as the ball broke, Egan’s perfectly executed shot made it 1-0. From Hurst’s pinpoint cross, two minutes later, Feltham’s header crashed against the woodwork. 

As the half ended, what appeared an elbow ended Hurst’s night with a nasty looking head injury, Matt Britton substituting. After some delay Ardley’s Lance Williams received a red card. Deep into the added minutes another outstanding team move culminated in Thorne finding Feltham. His first effort was courageously blocked but he smashed in the rebound, 2-0.

The second-half continued in the same vein. Egan stole possession in the 47th minute and found Thorne who drew the foul. From Osmond’s free-kick, Woodhouse’s header dropped just over. On 54 minutes Jamie Adams, now at right-back, drove into the box. His delightful turn inside opened space for a left-foot shot that Ardley keeper Harry Way tipped aside, with Tierney’s follow-up somehow blocked. No faulting Ardley’s pluck, often left chasing shadows with Portishead’s movement, they continued to protect their goal. Way made further good stops from Thorne’s header and Osmond’s curled shot.  

On 69 minutes Humphries and Thorne made way for Jaden Neale and Dean Preddie. Next Rio Fitton was a 75th minute replacement for Adams and immediately combined well with Neale to force a corner. Out of nowhere Ardley broke and Zach Scott reduced the arrears with a good finish past keeperJames Walker. 

A strong Posset response saw Preddie and Neale both go close. Another 83rd minute defence-splitting Egan pass sent Preddie away. Deftness and determination saw him bring a save from Way before he buried the rebound. Still time for Preddie and Neale to bring further saves as Dean Griffiths made a late appearance for Feltham.

A job well done against tough opponents, more cup action awaits with Saturday’s visit of Mendip Broadwalk in the FA Vase.