After last week’s smooth introduction, new coach Scott Gallagher had a tricky afternoon with the late loss of a goalkeeper, players stuck in traffic and tough selection issues. Paul Faulkner solved a lot of it by not only going in goal but excelling. I now think I have seen him play well in every position on the pitch. This also allowed Chris Holland to return in midfield and he duly ran the show.

Portishead brought a young development side to The Rec full of confidence after beating Locking last week 6 – 3 but this proved a much tighter affair. From the kickoff there were individual battles all over the pitch in a very competitive game which also benefited from sympathetic refereeing by Darren Wesson who is the best ref we have seen at this level. Portishead Centre forward Lee Rackham and Paul Burnett had a titanic contest where neither gave an inch.

The home side had the luxury of an early penalty when the illusive Tommy Johnson was tripped. Last year’s leading goal scorer James Marshall stepped up with a powerful strike but keeper Andy Carling made a great save only to see the ball bobble over the line by the finest of margins. The visitors responded and with three in midfield it took a mammoth effort from Holland and Betts to keep them at bay. The game tilted towards the visitors as Flynn disputed a line call – by his own linesman, a little too colourfully to become the first Reserve team player in the ‘sin bin’. The home side dug in and we’re relieved to get to half time with their lead in tact aided by Faulkners sure handling and positioning in goal.

Playing with the elements in the second half, Wrington started brightly with Selman and Johnson coming more into the game and looking dangerous. However, as chances came and went and the home side tired, Portishead held there own. Their main threat came from Ed Geary and josh Honey on the left but Fin Taplin at right back dealt with everything thrown at him.

The pressure was finally released when Betts again fed in Johnson who made no mistake and effectively settled the game. It was now Portishead who tired and Johnson cashed in to score a hattrick by dispossessing defender Sam Bendall to score and then doing the same to his own striking partner Selman to tap in his third.

Portishead scored a consolation header from Richard Hobbs which was the least they deserved.

Man Of Match Tommy Johnson

Wrington Res:  Faulkner,Taplin, D Burnett, P. Burnett, Curtis,Flynn,Betts,Holland,Johnson,Selman,Marshall, Clements,Gallacher.