Royals take derby success with late Fareham treble
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM TOWN concluded the traditional league campaign with a loss they played the ‘champions’ AFC Portchester on Easter Saturday (April 19); eventually losing three-nil against their closest rivals despite a spirited and hard-working performance throughout an El-Creekio encounter that was watched by a big crowd of 1388 supporters at Cams Alders.
The hosts adapted quickly to the slick surface after overnight rain and saw their first chance within eight minutes; Josh Benfield lashing metres off-target under pressure. Down the other end Portchester steadied themselves and had Ryan Pennery drag over before he spun round two defenders to find a gap; his second effort hit straight at Declan McCarthy.
Oli Davis was proving critical to Royals’ momentum and showed this ability as he cut-back a delightful ball into the feet of Connor Duffin who sliced a good drive harmlessly over the crossbar after 26 minutes. In response, Charlie Cooper’s deflected ball found a solid head of Dan Bennett whose touch was cleared away easily by the stubborn away defender.
Their scare appeared to push Portchester forward and they really should have scored on thirty-five minutes when their winger James Cowan’s delivery found Pennery, whose header somehow bounced up into McCarthy’s gloves from four yards. It was followed by a spell of methodical play and few chances as both sides seemed determined to avoid errors.
Proceedings followed a similar pattern upon the second half restart and it took until the fifty-seventh minute for the next notable opportunity; Davis cutting inside and firing inches wide of the bottom left corner. Fareham further had their best chance on the hour as Stan Bridgman drove against the crossbar from an angle after good interplay down the left wing.
Substitutions followed along the 2 benches as the Creeksiders mustered another ‘massive chance’ with nineteen left to play on the clock; Cooper lashing against the post as he connected sweetly onto a bouncing pass. And they were soon punished when the visitors took this lead through Spencer Spurway, who sliced a drive high past the keeper for one-nil.
It was two-nil with seven minutes to play when Lee Wort blasted inside the corner to finish off a rapid attack whilst Brett Pitman further had two brilliant chances that were well saved by McCarthy. But the Fareham keeper could not deny the third and killer goal with moments left; Josh Clack hooking home a corner despite last ditch challenges to stop the shot
All other results on Saturday mean that Fareham finish third in the final standing and will play Hamble Club in the play-off semi finals to be held on Wednesday evening at Cams Alders. For Portchester their attentions turn to cup action as they play Royal Navy in the Portsmouth Senior Cup and further play two cup finals by mid-May as they hunt 4 trophies.
PICTURED BY NATHAN LIPSHAM: Portchester attacker moves a pass forward despite attentions of a home defender.
