Portishead Town draw positives from point at Cheddar

Posset had taken maximum points from their first two Toolstation Western League matches, while Cheddar had yet to open their account.

The game began very evenly, with neither side able to impose themselves, but Charlie Williams went closest for Town when his shot from distance glanced off the crossbar.

The breakthrough came on 28 minutes as Portishead took a quick throw-in and excellent work by Calum Townsend released Williams – a constant threat all afternoon - and he outfought a defender before squaring for Josh Honey to convert from close range.

Portishead Town's Josh Honey turns the ball in for his first goal at Cheddar (Image: Darren Vowles)

The lead lasted just six minutes, as Cheddar equalised in bizarre fashion when a free-kick into the box by George Fairchild was overhit and George Shanks-Boon, in the Posset goal, parried it down before catching it, but not before it had crossed the line according to the assistant referee.

Portishead began the second half in the ascendancy, playing with an intensity that had been lacking in the first half, with Honey and Williams always available and dangerous when running at defenders.

Portishead Town's Charlie Williams attacks at Cheddar (Image: Darren Vowles)

Honey restored Town’s lead on 56 minutes when a quickly taken corner took Cheddar by surprise and his attempted cross looped over Adam Jones in the home goal.

Town were keen to capitalise and new addition George Fowler stung the hands of Jones with a smart shot in the 58th minute.

Townsend was next to go close on 64 minutes, trying his luck from outside the area but denied by the keeper, and as a third goal did not come Cheddar grew in confidence.

Portishead Town attack at Cheddar (Image: Darren Vowles)

Shanks-Boon produced a good save to preserve the lead, but moments later he was beaten as a well worked move in the 83rd minute set Dean Chrisostomou in on goal and his shot looped in off the keeper's hand.

There was still time for substitutes Rob Latham and Joe Fitzgerald to combine but the ball just would not fall Posset’s way.

Manager Eamonn Daly said: "Despite dominating large periods of the game I felt we were too laboured in possession.

"We came out in the second half all guns blazing and seemed to have shaken off our first half lethargy. Unfortunately, we reverted back to our first-half bad habits and let Cheddar in to level for the second time."

Posset host Radstock on Tuesday before travelling to Bristol Telephones on Saturday.

Portishead Town: Shanks-Boon, Hurst, Pearce, Mountford (C), Ripley, Carter, Honey, Wakefield, Townsend, Fowler, Williams. Subs: Nichols, Cox, Fitzgerald, Latham, Mace.