IT'S OLI'S DAY AT OLDLAND

The new management team of David Stone and Josh Dempsey (pictured) selected their first team since taking charge in midweek after the 7-0 loss at Wincanton last weekend. Stone was one of three players brought into the starting eleven with Dempsey taking a berth on the bench. Jordan Richards and Ryan Dunn came in for Gary Shorney and Jason Side and there was a place in the squad for new signing Jamie White.

On a very wet but playable pitch, good football was always going to be at a premium and cold, murky conditions weren't ideal for the spectators in Oldland's lowest crowd of the season. The sides exchanged chances early on with both Trevarthen and Lewis Parker shooting wide of goal. Portishead thought they had taken the lead on 28 minutes when the ball was bundled in from close range but referee Brian Lee ruled the goal out for a deliberate handball.

White made an earlier than planned appearance to replace the injured Ashley Bernard and within three minutes, the visitors had the lead. Oli Trevarthen stepped up and hit a free kick straight over keeper George Dempsey and into the net from 25 yards out. The same player tried again three minutes later but this time, his effort went well over the bar. Late on, a chance went begging for Portishead when a header lacked conviction and tamely went wide.

After the break, Dempsey made a good save from a swerving shot from outside the box but he could do nothing on 71 minutes when Portishead sealed the game. An Oldland free kick was cleared and immediately a counter attack saw 4 on 3 with the advantage to the visitors. They crafted their passage into the box where Trevarthen was again on hand to score his third goal in two matches.

Portishead had the better of the final twenty minutes, seeing a header cleared off the line, and were good value for their fifth successive victory, scoring thirteen times in the process and letting in only four. For Oldland, it means only one win in their last eleven league matches and four successive home league defeats.

On Boxing Day, the O's travel to Malmesbury Victoria for our first ever league encounter, a 3pm kickoff.

From all the committee, players and officials, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our supporters.