Royals open league campaign with Westfield draw
By Connor Steel
AFC PORTCHESTER were forced to settle for a point to start the competitive campaign as they played Westfield in their league opener on Saturday afternoon (August 8); eventually gaining an one-all draw versus last year’s play-off contenders following a hard-fought and enjoyable ninety minutes watched by a gate off 239 fans at the AEI Stadium.
The visitors started brightly and created their first chance after just four minutes as Andy Crossley’s flick header was saved easily by Portchester goalkeeper Kieran Magee whilst brilliant defending denied a fierce drive by Sam Folarin. Down the other end Connor Duffin linked up with his teammates after a long ball and his attempt went narrowly wide.
Proceedings continued to be even with both teams having great spells of possession and it was clear that defending was on top until the first water break that allowed Westfield to tweak tactics and go high up the pitch. This worked as the ball was won by Alfie Huckle and a rapid passing move released Rohdell Gordan to slide expertly into this corner.
The opening goal gave the Royals an ‘impetus’ and they should have equalised on thirty-six minutes as Duffin had a pocket of space inside the box; the low effort brilliantly saved by Lewis Gallifent down low at his near post. Westfield responded by flying forward to win the ball and feed their winger who blasted the crossbar before the half time break.
It was a slow start to the second half as the sides looked worried to make an error and a poor clearance almost gave Portchester the leveller after fifty-four minutes, but James Cowan’s effort was deflected up into the hands of Gallifent. In response there was a flurry of substitutions from the benches as fresh legs were introduced particularly in midfield.
Portchester kept going and reaped their reward as a cross landed to the back stick sparking a loose ball, which fell to Ryan Pennery and he made no mistakes firing into the bottom corner for one-all after sixty-three minutes. They could have been ahead moments after the second water break but Lee Wort’s header didn’t have enough power / accuracy.
The Royals were now dominant and they thought that they had netted after eighty minutes via Pennery whose flicked header was tipped off the bar and gathered on the line under pressure to keep it 1-1. There was further ‘half’ chances through Destiny Ojo and Kameron English but this wasn’t enough to break this deadlock as these points were shared.
Both teams will be happy with this point that leaves them in the play-off positions with the majority of other sides in FA Cup action on Saturday, but they will be hoping for their first successes of 2026-27 next weekend. Portchester are set to visit Kingstonian in their second game whilst Westfield will be playing Winchester City in a home tie at Woking Park.
PICTURED BY NATHAN LIPSHAM: Westfield defenders combine to block very powerful effort from the home attacker.
