POSSET STORM BACK TO BOOK PLACE IN NEXT ROUND OF THE FA VASE

Portishead Town v Mendip Broadwalk, FA Vase 1st Round Qualifying 

Saturday 15th August 

Report by Matt Gillett

Foot on the gas in a high-scoring second-half, Portishead Town beat Mendip Broadwalk 7-1 in the FA Vase. It didn’t look routine when Broadwalk grabbed an early lead but Portishead ultimately powered into the next round.

The visitors sat deep to soak up the early pressure. Posset, with Jamie Adams a good outlet on the right and Owen Humphries finding pockets of space, had all the early play. Aron Robbins’ header drew a stretching save, Humphries and Dean Preddie fired over, Mitch Osmond’s effort was blocked as Kyle Egan pulled the strings. 

But Broadwalk, seizing on a 16th minute loose ball, went ahead with Bertie Lucas’ excellent shot past keeper James Walker. Two minutes later Jack Thorne almost levelled, latching on to a long ball forward his lob over the keeper just cleared the bar. Walker decisively punched clear after 26 minutes as the lead galvanised Broadwalk, however the hosts carried the major threat. Osmond’s superb 34th minute pass freed Thorne, his tight-angle shot crashed off the underside of the bar. Humphries mazy run ended with a shot just wide. 

The equaliser arrived on 37 minutes: Egan released Thorne; his first attempt was well blocked but a left-foot curler on the rebound found the far corner. Ollie Woodhouse, commanding at the back alongside the assured Steve Kingdon, headed just wide from an Egan corner. Thorne lashed in a 43rd minute second goal to climax the latest episode of Portishead pressure to ensure a half-time lead.

At the break Ethan Feltham and Harvey Tierney replaced Preddie and Robbins. In the 47th minute Feltham rose unchallenged to make a perfect contact on Egan’s corner, 3-1. Josh Jenkins, on for Matt Britton, then put Thorne in for a delightful chipped goal bringing up his 51st minute hat-trick. No let-up, two minutes later it was 5-1, Tierney won possession, Feltham powered forward. He perfectly timed his pass to Humphries, at times unplayable, to confidently finish. 

On the hour Thorne’s terrific assist gave Feltham the opportunity to assuredly lift over the keeper, 6-1. Walker’s excellent anticipation and stop halted an isolated away attack at the edge of his area. Broadwalk’s keeper produced a number of notable saves including a powerful effort from substitute Jaden Neale. It was Neale as provider in the 72nd minute, excellent right-side wing-play followed by a driven cross, converted by Egan for the seventh goal.  

Still they attacked, Osmond’s work-rate emblematic of Portishead’s intensity. Posset continued to create chances as Broadwalk hung on but hung in there. Sub Rio Fitton, a good stint at the back, went close with a header and Egan forced another save.

The potency of Posset’s attacking – that’s twenty-three goals in five home games – will get plenty of attention. But this is a team that impresses in every department with no doubt more to come.

Photographs: Jack Davidson