Royals overcome stubborn Hythe resistance in win
By Connor Steel
AFC PORTCHESTER began this new month with another massive success as they travelled across to Hythe & Dibden on Saturday afternoon (February 1); comfortably beating their mid-table opponents three-nil following the dominant and professional all-round performance watched by a big gate under cold but overcast skies at the ‘Hythe Garage Stadium’.
The hosts started brighter on a slick surface after this poor weather and created their first chance in the seventh minute through Dylan Hayon, who could only place a shot straight at Steven Mowthorpe from an angle. His strike partner Leon Carbayo-Borges then saw another opening as he collected a deep ball and ran towards goal; this shot harmlessly over.
In response Portchester worked themselves into a period of momentum and suddenly opened this scoring after sixteen minutes as a pass was threaded to Archie Wilcox out wide; the wing-back’s cross subtly glanced calmly by Lee Wort. A neat attempt from Ryan Pennery followed just before the half hour and this was blocked well by a diving Robert Flooks.
More stubborn defending stopped the visitors from scoring again on thirty-four minutes as a set-piece was headed past Hythe keeper Luke Deacon but was hacked off the line by a backtracking defender. And it should have again been two-nil before the break as Wort flashed his drive past the target; the home side surviving until half time just one goal down.
Hythe came out strongly after the interval as Blu Sexton-Chadwick lashed wide past the far post and Hacon had a shot blocked at source moments later; the hosts also winning two corners that came to nothing. They were punished for the missed chances on fifty-five minutes when Portchester added a second; Josh Clack converting a low pass into the net.
Deacon proved his worth moments later with a brilliant stop as he denied Clack’s header with his leg and further tipped a fierce effort from Wort around the post after the hour; which saw the first home substitutions in a bid to stem this flow. But it was not successful as Pennery netted a third on 67 minutes when he finessed an effort inside the far right corner.
This third goal ultimately killed the match as a meaningful contest with the teams seemingly engaging in a tight midfield battle; a period of multiple substitutions and niggly fouls breaking up momentums in the final moments. There were still openings as James Cowan and Harrison Brook saw a chance denied; the referee ending play without much injury time.
Gav Spurway’s side are twelve points clear of second placed Hamble Club in these current Wessex Premier standings, although third place Stoneham have matches in hand after a big FA Vase run. Portchester’s attentions should now turn briefly to knock-out ties as they travel to East Cowes Victoria on Tuesday before hosting Downton on Saturday (08/02).
PICTURED BY NATHAN LIPSHAM: Away players celebrate netting one of their three goals as Portchester earn points.