Hard work but we got there

Oldland made hard work of it on a brisk but sunny night at Castle Road but eventually completed a fine victory and could have had more goals.

In a dreary first half The Os at least managed to get through 45 minutes without conceding a goal which has been a bit of a novelty lately and then came to life in the last quarter of the game leaving the fans happy.

Oldland started without the absent Ben Dowdell and Jamie Gregory and were seeking to improve on the weekend's tired performance. There were chances at either end in the first half and the first signs of some confusing (for both sides) decision making from the officials. It's fair to say though that the first half is best forgotten.

Not for the first time this season, the second period was a different story. Oldland started to have much more of the game and as it opened up, Portishead had chances too. The O's took the lead on 52 minutes when Josh Williams broke down the left and cut back low for the oncoming forward to slot home. The lead was brief however as Keeper Chris Manns appeared to be nudged by two different opposing players whilst in the air but no foul was given and the loose ball was popped home for an equaliser.

Williams was having his best game in weeks however and his sponsor was having kittens as he regularly got through but couldn't get a shot away. Oldland deservedly took the lead when he again broke down the left, crossed and although the initial shot was parried Josh Southway was able to convert the equaliser in a Dom Telford (v Gillingham last Saturday) style. The game was secured towards the end when Liam Gale who had threatened several times but shot weakly finally launched a rocket into the roof of the net.

Well played and unlucky to Portishead who competed much better than their league position suggests, great defensive shifts from Andy Criddle, Jack Metcalf, Joe Walters especially - Oldland go into the last two games with sixth place still possible, provided they win both with an aggregate margin of 15 goals (more chance of Luke Lecrass scoring another worldy than that happening!)

Well played lads