Jewson Western League premier division: Portishead Town 6, Wellington 1

After their excellent win in midweek, Wellington came down to earth with a bump away to league leaders Portishead Town yesterday (Saturday, March 15th).

Nearly all the damage came in the first half when the title favourites were in devastating form and ran in five goals.

Portishead, who had won 4-0 at the Playing Field only ten days earlier, are seeking back-to-back promotions on their new 3G pitch.

That looks only a matter of time as they are now 14 points clear of third-placed Brixham with two teams going up into the Southern League.

Portishead took the game to the Tangerines from the kick-off and keeper Jack McAndrews pulled off a flying save after only five minutes before the goals starting flying in shortly afterwards.

Kyle Egan gave them the lead with a cool finish after McAndrews had saved with his legs and he then turned in a low cross to make it 2-0 after 16 minutes.

Jay Murray, who scored a hat-trick when the sides met last week, got in behind the Wellington defence to fire home the third on the half-hour.

Egan was given the chance to complete his hat-trick three minutes later when defender Alex Cherry was penalised for handball but he blasted the resulting spot kick against the bar.

That failed to knock Portishead out of their stride and they ran in two more goals through Callum Townsend and Ethan Feltham as Wellington failed to deal with dangerous crosses.

To their credit, the Tangerines failed to lie down and they pulled one back on the stroke of half-time when the lively Phil Mendonca pounced on a back pass to round the keeper and net.

Wellington boss Richard Cherry made a double substitution for the second half with keeper Jake Viney returning from injury to replace McAndrews and Glen Wright coming on for James De Selincourt.

His side gave a much better account of themselves – although Portishead hit the woodwork twice before Feltham drove home their sixth goal in the final minute.

Wellington will now need to pick themselves up for a fourth successive away game on Wednesday night – their first ever trip to Ivybridge Town.

Wellington: Jack McAndrews, Sam Pashen, Kieran Bailey, Alex Cherry, Harry Scott, Josh Lukins, James De Selincourt, Sam Towler, Miles Quick, Jake Quick, Phil Mendonca. Substitutes: Jake Viney, Glen Wright, Nathan Byrne, Jacob Shore, Alex Parsons (all used).

Photos courtesy of the Around Wellington news and sport website.