Weekly Report w/e 14/02/10 by roving reporter Steve Woods.

This week saw mixed fortunes for our Wessex League Mens teams.

On Tuesday we  took a massive away support of  ONE  to Amesbury.!! The final  result of 1:3 did reflect our superiority against a very inform and tricky Amesbury side. In his return to the first team after a gap of over 3 months he found the back of the net  in just 5 minutes . With a couple chances for both sides not taken we went in at half time 1:0 up.

The second half saw much of the same with us scoring again shortly after the break through Dale Clark. We continued to dominate and after breaking through the last defender pulled Simon Woods down seeing Nev Farley netting the resultant penalty. Amesbury struck back with a consolation goal with around ten minutes left but it was too little, too late!!

That result set up a crucial top of the table clash on Saturday against Hamble. With Pompey narrowly edging out Southampton 4:1 earlier our hopes were high. For the first half it was a very even affair with both defences very much on top. Ten minutes before the break a crunching tackle on Phil Turrell  saw him limping off to take no further part in the game.

Moving into the second half our make shift defence struggled to hold a very lively Hamble attack and it was almost inevitable when the goal came. The second followed very quickly and despite Karl saving a penalty Hamble went on to totally dominate the closing stages finishing the job by 4 goals to nil.

Whilst a massive disappointment, we are still very much in the hunt, indeed, by winning our games in hand we would move into 2^nd place three points clear. Lets go for a big win on Tuesday!

The reserves lost 3:0 to a very strong Fareham side, although they were certainly not out classed in the week. On Saturday we entertained Horndean reserves and earned a creditable 1:1 draw.

The Under 18s had mixed fortunes with the Hants Youth League team running out winners once again, reversing the Hampshire Cup defeat by Hayling a few weeks ago. A messy game saw it decided by a long range effort from Ben Keyes. Portchy 1, Hayling 0!  Porchy go top of the league.

Yet again the U 18  PYFL team failed to produce the kind of football that they are capable of. For 88 minutes of the game they matched 3^rd placed Horndean Hawks without making too many chances but for a crazy 2 minutes towards the end of the first half they totally switched off and the Hawks scored their only 2 goals of the game. However too many of our players failed to perform at their usual level and need to look at themselves and maybe leave their nights out to Fridays!!!

Upcoming Fixtures

Tuesday

1^st Team               Home    Whitchurch United          KO  19:45

Saturday

1^st Team               Away     Andover N S                       KO 15:00             

Reserves             Away     Blackfield & Langley        KO 15:00

Sunday

Men     

Dockyard – Div 2 – Away to NBC Dragons B          KO 1030 – Wicor Rec Pitch 2        

U18 HCYL             No Game

U18 PYFL              Away     Horndean Youth               KO 10.30             

Saturday Teams.

With the Pompey/ Saints match there were no matches for our teams this weekend.

Mini Soccer

We are limited to under 9s and Under 10s.

Horndean Hawks U10 A -3

AFC Portchester U10 A - 0                                                                  

The game went pretty well for the first half and we should have been ahead but we just lost all composure in the second half which was pretty disappointing as this was a game easily within our grasp.  We are a fragile bunch when we concede the first goal but hey, there’s always next week!  If there was one criticism to be made it was the attitude of the opposition’s manager. He was clearly gloating on the sideline with every goal. Andy Harvey the teams manager showed remarkable restraint by not getting involved in the silliness!  Good Luck to all teams this week!