Royals in seventh heaven with Wincanton victory
By Connor Steel
AFC PORTCHESTER cemented their leader’s position in the Wessex Premier League as they hosted Wincanton Town on Saturday afternoon (November 30); comfortably sealing a massive seven-one home success against their mid-table opponents after the outstanding attacking and clinical performance under overcast skies at the On-Site Group Stadium.
The Royals began brightly in possession and reaped the rewards as they took an early lead in the twelfth minute; Ryan Pennery converting his sublime opener into the right corner for one-nil. It should have been two-nil after twenty minutes when Josh Clack’s cross met Harrison Brook, who had a deft touch and fired narrowly wide of this post under pressure.
Wincanton responded well to the home dominance and had a period of possession that led to the equaliser, which was scored by their striker high past Steven Mowthorpe. Lewis Voizey soon went closest to overturning the scoreline before Portchester asserted control; Pennery and Connor Duffin drawing fine stops from the away keeper before the half hour.
A succession of home corners were then defended stubbornly despite Marley Ridge’s best effort with a fine header, the Royals trying to find enough space for a shot. It didn’t take long however for Pennery to do exactly this as he converted a flowing passing move down the side on forty-one minutes; thus giving Portchester a narrow two-one lead at half time.
The second period started in the ‘same vain’ with Portchester dominating possession and being thwarted by the visiting defenders, who cleared two attempts at source before James Cowan dragged over in frustration. Down the other end a free kick caused some major panic in the home penalty area, but was shielded by Clack at the far post into Mowthorpe.
Substitutions soon followed across both teams and this led to a lull in proceedings that was only broken in the seventy-fourth minute; Pennery netting his third goal as he showed strength and fired low past the diving keeper. Kane O’Keefe soon nodded over the bar as Wincanton were showing fatigue, which allowed Lee Wort to release the stems with a 4th.
Wort further netted their fifth goal with a calm finish on eighty-two minutes and it was six-one moments later through Oli Davies, who collected a good forward pass and easily lashed home despite being under pressure. And this goalscoring was finished in additional time when Pennery added his fourth with a hooked shot; the referee ending play shortly after.
Other results from Saturday means that Portchester are seven points ahead of second position Hamble at the ‘summit’; the league season fast approaching its halfway point. The Royals will return to this format with games against Millbrook and Hamworthy Recreation over this next fortnight, but attentions will turn to a cup tie against Baffins on Tuesday night.
PICTURED BY AFC PORTCHESTER: Minute’s silence is held before kick off to remember former manager Louis Bell
