Royals earn derby success in Fareham cup encounter
By Connor Steel
AFC PORTCHESTER clinched their second ‘El-Creekio’ victory of the current campaign as they played Fareham Town in the Isthmian League Cup on Tuesday evening (September 23); eventually sealing a narrow two-one success versus their fierce Creekside rivals after a close-fought and tight knockout encounter enjoyed by a loud crowd at Cams Alders.
The Royals started quicker under clear skies and could have taken a lead within just two minutes through Brett Pitman, whose shot was blocked well by Jake Walker before being easily caught by the home goalkeeper. However the visitors were celebrating moments later as a cross was played into this crowded box and was converted by Charlie Williamson.
It was two-nil on twenty minutes as a deep ball was flicked into the path of Pitman and this striker made little mistake in simply heading past Declan McCarthy; who couldn’t quite dive and push their effort away. It could have even worsened for Fareham as Harrison Brook broke down the right and floated a delivery into Connor Duffin who nodded off this post.
An injury stoppage allowed Fareham to regroup and they reduced their deficit before the half hour mark; Ethan Quinlan hitting a low shot from twenty yards that beat this dive from Cameron Scott. Home winger Charlie Charlie went close to levelling as he placed an angled drive just over on thirty-six minutes which proved to be a last chance before the break.
This second half was slower in comparison as both sides began to cancel each other in a midfield battle that saw good possession with no end products; the supporters cheering tackles as a bid to give their team this momentum. Fareham were the outfit to end this cagey lull when Cooper was threaded through and fired across goal; the shot drifting far over.
Dan Sibley further linked up well and played a ball that narrowly missed this run of Cooper on sixty-five minutes before a number of substitutions were made to bring fresh legs into this action. This seemed to boost Portchester with Pitman nodding narrowly over the bar whilst Archie Wilcox’s neat corner was struck inches over the bar via a lurking midfielder.
Fareham began to push for an equaliser in the last 10 minutes and saw Jamie Arnold’s cross cause some chaos in the penalty area; the away defence doing well to clear this danger after much pinball. Matt Pates further volleyed his effort towards goal that was blocked on the line by the away defender, who also did well to help get them a derby-day victory.
The Creeksiders will be upset to be knocked out of another knockout competition after big losses in the FA Trophy and previously the FA Cup in recent weeks, but they will be proud for their performances given tough oppositions. They will now be able to focus on this league however as they host Kingstonian this Saturday before they later travel to Hendon.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN MEDIA: The Portchester defenders try to prevent good attempt on goal by Fareham.
