Somerset Senior Cup: Portishead Town Reserves 4, Wellington Reserves 1

Our Reserves had a tough away trip to Portishead in the Somerset Senior Cup against a team so far undefeated this season.

Player of the match Dylan Groves is pictured with Logan Sellick.

With issues on the M5 the lads did not arrive until 15 minutes beofe kick-off and, while the hosts were happy to delay the start, the referee was not, so it was a quick team talk and no warm-up.

Playing on a 4G pitch, the home team started better but it was Wellington who took the lead after five minutes when Ollie Ackland pounced on a ball in the box and scored from close range off the post.

The game was now end-to-end with Wellington defending well, especially full-backs Wes Poulsom and Dylan Groves who deal well with both the home team’s tricky wingers.

After 30 minutes, Wellington suffered the first of three injuries when forward Alfie Barrett was forced off with a knee injury suffered on the artificial surface.

As the game approached half-time, the home team had a corner and, as the ball was swung in, Tom Davies was only able to flick it on. It fell to a home player unmarked at the back post to head home in injury time making it level at the break.

During half-time, Wellington had to make their second change as Jack Bryant was forced off with another knee injury.

It meant they were now starting the second half with no recognised forwards and it got worse when Davies was sent off three minutes when he retaliated to a bad foul on him.

Wellington had to re-group and Luke Perry was asked to play as the loan striker in a 4-4-1 formation.
The home team now had the majority of the ball but, as a team, Wellington defended well and kept the hosts to few chances.

With 20 minutes to go, Sam Bryant was forced off with Ned Ogilvie and Connor Noble stepping into defence. Five minutes later, Portishead went ahead with a fine header at the back post.

With Wellington now chasing the game, Portishead started getting chances but Charlie Hawkings, back in goal, was outstanding.

As the game headed into the last five minutes, the home team scored two further goals with the game ending 4-1.

Team: Charlie Hawkings, Wes Poulsom, Dylan Groves, Sam Bryant, Tom Davies, Ollie Ackland, Tom Hawkings, Connor Pengelly, Luke Perry, Jack Bryant, Alfie Barrett. Substitutes: Connor Noble, Ned Ogilvie, Elijah Hiller (all used).