Royals succumb to defeat in last-gasp Bognor thriller
By Connor Steel
AFC PORTCHESTER succumbed to a “heartbreaking defeat” in their first ever Isthmian League South Central Division encounter as they hosted Bognor Regis Town in a nine-goal thriller on Saturday afternoon (August 9); eventually falling to a last minute five-four loss despite holding a three-goal lead in front of 648 supporters at the On-Site Group Stadium.
It was a bright start under sunny skies for Bognor as they opened the scoring within four minutes through Tommy Scutt who converted his penalty after Billy Allcock was fouled in this box. But Portchester came firing back and levelled when Alfie Stanley lashed home a shot inside this bottom left corner following great passing in the middle featuring Lee Wort.
Their leveller made the Royals more confident and this offered them greater control of the ball; Conor Bailey’s whipped delivery flashing across goal and Ryan Pennery going closer with a low effort. And they clinched a deserved lead when Zak Willett took advantage of some poor defending as he stole the ball before placing this under the outrushing keeper.
Away shotstopper Mac Chisholm was definitely busier during the first period as he comfortably caught a flicked header by Archie Wilcox, before denying a sweeping attempt from Bailey after forty-four minutes. But the hosts were not to be denied as they added this third before half time; Pennery firing home a good finish into the right corner under pressure.
Gav Spurway’s side continued their dominance upon this second half restart and extended their lead to four-one in the fiftieth minute, Lee Wort lashing home into the goal after a brilliant set-up cross. Marley Ridge further went close with a shot that was denied easily by Chisholm as the midfielder looked to truly confirm the points in a curtain raising success.
Instead, Bognor made it four-two just before the hour mark as Callum Laycock raced through the middle and fired past Steven Mowthorpe despite all huge efforts of home defenders running back. Doubt seemed to affect the hosts after the goal and it worsened when this score became four-three, Allcock pouncing for a loose ball and rocketing inside this net.
Substitutions and hard graft meant Portchester held on until the 85th minute as the away team enjoyed a great spell of pressure; which finally did tell when Allcock equalised at four-all with a fine finish. Late drama also engulfed the Royals when George Britton’s shot was denied only for Simba Mlambo to bury the rebound to spark huge Bognor celebrations.
There will be positives for Portchester despite the defeat as they dominated the first half and during the early stages of the second but simply struggled to match the experience seen with higher league opposition. But they have the perfect opportunity to bounce back as they visit Fareham Town on Tuesday night for the first “El-Creekio” match of the season.
PICTURED BY CLIFF PLEDGE: Bognor goalkeeper comes out to gather a cross as it loops up inside the penalty area.
