Portchester secure semi final place with Havant win
By Connor Steel
AFC PORTCHESTER guaranteed a semi-final position in the Hampshire Senior Cup as they hosted local rivals Havant & Waterlooville on Tuesday evening; beating their youthful opponents two-one after a close-fought and entertaining last eight tie watched by a gate of almost three hundred opponents despite winter conditions at the On-Site Group Stadium.
The visitors started quickly on a bobbly surface and saw a first great chance to score after six minutes; Reuben Swann forcing Steven Mowthorpe into a brilliant save before Henry Yates was denied by a sliding goalline clearance. This was followed by a long attempt from Mitch Aston that almost lobbed over the home goalkeeper in a very tight midfield battle.
This early dominance was rewarded for Havant as they scored after twenty minutes through Yates, who shifted the ball from his marker and placed home a finish inside the bottom side for 1-0. Swann nearly doubled the lead as he rounded Mowthorpe on the half hour mark, but the narrowing angle and the covering defenders prevented a real effort on target.
Portchester further worked themselves to a position of momentum before the interval with neat possession leading to a corner; which helped make a chance for Archie Wilcox as he headed straight at George Bonney. And they had an even better opportunity in added time as Ryan Pennery found Marley Ridge, who blasted over the bar from twenty yards out.
The hosts came out firing after the break and saw Connor Duffin’s goal disallowed for an offside; the striker also curling wide of the far post in the fifty-second minute following a fast passing move. Down the other end Brad Gale got through the middle chasing a fine cross from Yates and was soon denied by a superb defensive tackle as he prepared to shoot.
Substitutions followed for both teams and this saw a fresh injection of energy in midfield as the temperature fell; Harvey Laidlaw sending a free-kick goalwards and placing it just over of the near left post. Meanwhile the Royals saw Harrison Brook and Pennery have varying great chances go close, although they were struggling against the ‘stubborn’ defence.
That lasted until the 85th minute when Portchester caused a period of pin-ball from a corner and a loose ball fell to Ash Howes, who was quickest to react as he headed into this empty net from eight yards. It got better moments later with a late clincher from Pennery to make it two-one; the striker controlling a spinning cross and slotting expertly into the goal.
Success means that Portchester advance into the final four of the competition and will await fixture information such as opponents in due course; meaning they are only two games away from retaining this title. The two teams will face each other again soon in the Russell Cotes Cup, with the Royals playing Sherborne Town in the league on Saturday (11/01).
PICTURED BY AFC PORTCHESTER MEDIA: Sunset falls around On-Site Group Stadium before the ‘quarter final’ tie.
