Portchester beat Hamble in tough title challenge
By Connor Steel
AFC PORTCHESTER laid down a title marker for the Wessex League Premier as they hosted fellow early challengers Hamble Club on Saturday afternoon in a ‘top two’ encounter; comfortably beating their opponents two-nil following this close-fought and brilliant display throughout the ninety minutes watched by a large gate at the On-Site Group Stadium.
The visitors began brightly and saw the first chance within two minutes as Braydon Douglas had a shot blocked, whilst Clayd Roach slice wide the rebound from an angle. In contrast Portchester were more clinical when a ball over the top was misjudged by the Hamble defence and fell extremely kindly at the feet of Josh Clack, who calmly fired into the net.
It should have been two-nil after nineteen minutes following threaded interplay between Harrison Brook and Clack; the latter’s passing to Ryan Pennery who lashed over the crossbar. Marley Ridge then forced a huge stop by away keeper Henry Newman before an injury stoppage put a halt to home momentum; Connor Rowe having to go off for the visitors.
Proceedings reached the half hour mark without any further incidents as a series of niggly fouls disrupted some decent attacking moves; although the referee did well to keep a ‘sense of calm’ for both teams. This allowed this match to flow again and Hamble almost levelled before half time; Samuel Godfroy playing a good pass that missed the sliding striker.
A quiet restart to the second period was ended when Clack played a lovely curling cross around the defender that was met by Pennery; the attacker appearing to be fouled into the box but loud penalty appeals were rejected. Godfroy then saw a powerful effort blocked by the leg of Archie Wilcox in response before Roach fired straight at Steven Mowthorpe.
Substitutions followed across the 2 benches as Hamble dominated possession and saw Roach’s spinning effort denied by the keeper on sixty-five minutes; which was followed up by Bradley Johnson’s header going over. And these missed chances were punished as the hosts made it 2-0 on eighty-five minutes through Pennery who converted past Newman.
This match had its dramatic ending when a home defender was sent off in additional time after he handled the ball in a desperate block; Mowthorpe denying a strong resulting penalty and superbly saving the ‘rebound’ from Roach. Hamble were also reduced to 10 men as Roach was given red for an accidental collision in the last moments before the whistle.
Gav Spurway’s team leapfrog Hamble to become new leaders at the league summit with many other teams featuring in the FA Vase; the Royals boasting seven wins and a draw from their eight encounters thus far this campaign. More tests are on the horizon however as they travel to Sherborne Town next weekend before playing Stoneham seven days later.
PICTURED BY NATHAN LIPSHAM: Hamble defender tries to prevent run for home attacker during a tie back in March.
