Venue:
Referee:
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WL Div 1
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Saturday 10th October - K.O. 3: 00 PM
Attendance: 51 |
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Portishead |
3 - 3
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Oldland Abbots |
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Pettitt (60'),
Kelly (75'),
Benn (95'),
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Half Time
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Portishead entertained second placed Oldland on Saturday looking to kick start their season after back to back defeats.
It was the home side who started brightly, forcing the visitors onto the back foot in the opening quarter of an hour but it was the Oldland number 10 who had the first real chance, getting in behind the Portishead back four only to lift his shot over the crossbar.
After the probing Benn had tested the visiting keeper with a stinging drive from 25 yards it was Oldland who broke the deadlock on the half hour. Another long ball over the top was chased down by the striker and he was able to nip in and somehow slide his effort under the imposing frame of Ganfield in the home goal.
This setback knocked the wind out of the sails of Portishead and the remaining 15 minutes of the half belonged to the visitors. On the stroke of half time they duly made it 2-0, a 30 yard effort dipping over Ganfield and into the net.
Portishead needed to show some character if they were to get back in the game and again started the half in determined fashion. An outstanding save by the Oldland net minder denied Benn a certain goal but from the ensuing corner his delivery was met by the head of Pettitt to bring the hosts back into contention.
It was all Portishead now and the diminutive Hughes sent a header over the bar from six yards before Mapstone lashed a half volley just wide of the upright. The equiliser wasn’t far away though as great work by Moore and livewire Mapstone down the left saw substitute Kelly calmly side foot Posset level with 20 minutes to go.
The home side continued to press for a winner with Oldland now restricted to the infrequent attack but as the game went into stoppage time it looked like it would end in a draw however the real drama was still to come. A hopeful clearance back into the area by the Oldland midfield saw Ganfield and the visiting striker challenge for a bouncing ball in the area. The striker managed to get his shot away but Ganfield appeared to get a touch on the ball before the pair collided. The referee, to the horror of the home fans and players, pointed to the spot and the number 10 duly dusted himself down and sent Ganfield the wrong way leaving Portishead staring defeat in the face.
With the referee now looking at his watch, a determined Portishead went up the other end for one last attack and with seconds left on the clock a half clearance was pounced upon by Benn who lashed an unstoppable half volley across the keeper and into the far corner to make it 3-3.
There was little time left after the restart and Portishead both sides had to settle for a point in an entertaining game.
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