Royals crowned champions with Cowes success
By Connor Steel
AFC PORTCHESTER were formally crowned ‘league champions’ at the first time of asking as they travelled across the water to visit Cowes Sports on Tuesday evening (April 8); eventually winning one-nil versus their well-drilled opponents following a cagey and hard-fought encounter enjoyed by nearly three hundred spectators at a dry Zilch Waste Stadium.
It was a steady start under the bright flood-lights as Portchester dominated early possession and created a first chance after six minutes of play; Josh Clack’s powerful header being denied by Ed Hatt’s fingertip save. Harrison Brook further went close with an attempt that sliced wide before Scott McFarlane’s shot was straight at the away keeper in response.
But proceedings settled down into a methodical rhythm with Portchester becoming more nervous and frustrated; which was evident when McFarlane was tugged down after eighteen minutes to cause a minor flare-up. This was followed by two brilliant opportunities as Ryan Pennery’s effort was denied by Hatt and this striker lashed wide before the half hour.
Away momentum continued as Clark brushed the side netting with a low skidded shot and Lee Wort further clipped the ball over Hatt, who recovered quick to parry Pennery’s mis-hit volley. A succession of corners followed this chance and were all cleared by Cowes defenders, who did brilliantly to weather their intense spell of pressure to end the half at 0-0.
Proceedings followed a similar pattern upon the restart and Wort was closest to opening this scoring in the fifty-second minute; the attacker’s effort deflected inches wide of the far post. Brook was the next player to have a neat effort as he blazed over the crossbar from range, whilst Charlie Williamson’s shot was blocked at source by the knee of a defender.
Jared Tout-Walters was proving threats to this away defence as the winger blasted wide from a tight angle on sixty-five minutes before setting up McFarlane to place straight at Steven Mowthorpe. This prompted changes from across the 2 benches going into the last twenty minutes and this led to a slight lull in proceedings as the sides cancelled each other.
This deadlock was finally broken on eighty minutes when a lovely crossfield delivery was nodded down into the path of Marley Ridge, who steered a fine volley inside the far left corner for one-nil and raised a large celebration. But this was enough as the visitors held onto these critical three points that helped them gain the title and win ‘automatic promotion’.
The three points mean that Gav Spurway’s team now have an unassailable lead of ten points with two matches to play particularly as Stoneham drew nil-nil away to Hamble Club on the same evening. Players will be able to celebrate their ‘brilliant achievements’ on Saturday as they host Portland at the On-Site Group Stadium and presented with the trophy.
PICTURED BY NATHAN LIPSHAM: Portchester players celebrate winner that gave them gain league and a promotion.
