HARD FOUGHT THREE POINTS ON THE ROAD

Tavistock AFC v Portishead Town, Western League Premier Division,

Saturday 29th August

Match Report by Matt Gillett

An exemplary victory on the road from Portishead Town who came from behind to beat Tavistock 3-2. Arriving with a long list of notable absentees, typically Portishead made this all about the players available. 

The experienced Josh Ford debuted in central defence but Posset found themselves a goal down after 7 minutes. A good Tavistock passing move and left-wing cross was converted by Jack Crago. Portishead responded: Rio Fitton and Jaden Neale combined and found Ethan Feltham; his effort was blocked. Owen Humphries almost had Josh Jenkins in then, Humphries and Kyle Egan linked, Neale crossed and Humphries shot just wide. 

Fitton and Neale were prominent up and down the right side, on the opposite flank Harvey Tierney also foraged forward. On 29 minutes Jamie Adams won a ball he was second favourite for and sent Humphries darting forward. He released Jenkins whose powerful effort was tipped out by Tavistock keeper Dan Holman. A minute later superb Fitton cover stopped a Tavistock overload. Ford and Fitton again got in 36th minute tackles. Soon after Feltham tenaciously won a loose ball, powered forward but shot wide. 

As the game went end to end Posset keeper James Walker somehow got fingertips to a Tavistock header. Meanwhile, in added time, Tierney fired just wide after the ever-dangerous Neale burst forward. 

Early in the second period Hamish Hurst, immense at the back, and Egan both made important defensive contributions. And those two players combined to level: Egan’s 54th minute free-kick eluded Holman and Hurst smashed in. Three minutes later it was 2-1, from Ford’s ball forward Jenkins somehow retained possession despite being floored. Getting up the forward curled a glorious left-footer into the corner.

The visitors pressed on. Adams swung a ball in that Holman gratefully grabbed. Humphries ghosted past players, Egan got on the ball while Feltham and Jenkins scrapped up top. Credit to Tavistock though, against the run of play Tom Chastey equalised in the 60th minute after a right-wing cross.

The flurry of goals continued as Portishead, not to be thwarted, produced another move of quality. Ford’s 62nd minute ball found Tierney, he passed to Humphries who sent Jenkins clear on the left of the area to fire a cross for Neale to make it 3-2 at the far post.

Ollie Woodhouse replaced Jenkins as Posset bolstered their defence. Portishead kept a good shape out of possession and did the hard yards, Adams tirelessly closed space. Still a threat on the counter - Woodhouse, striding out from the back, almost had Neale in. Dan Dodimead and Dean Griffiths came on as an offside flag denied Posset a fourth goal – Dodimead’s follow-up after Holman’s double save from Hurst. A defensive header clear by Feltham, seconds before the fulltime whistle, epitomised Portishead’s resolve. 

The travelling fans roared their approval.