As a follower and advocate of all things Southern Region, there was only one place to be on the FA Cup First Round day. Although there were still six SoReg teams left in the competition, the game between Winchester City Flyers and AFC Portchester was the only one that guaranteed a SoReg team in Round Two. As it happened, by the end of the day, it was just as well, as Ascot, Reading, Penn and Bursledon all suffered defeat. More of those games in Edition 11 of SoReg Review coming out on Wednesday.
On to today's clash at The Charters Community Stadium. History was already being made Winchester, having never managed to get to Round One before. Whatever happened, one of them was going to make it the second round for the first time.
Of the two sides, Winchester can boast the greater FA Cup experience, despite Portchester having managed to get further in the competition. This would be their 15th Women's FA Cup match and they had previously made the third qualifying round twice, losing to Southampton Women in 20178-18 and Poole Town in 2019-20. Last season they got to the second qualifier, winning 6-2 on the Isle of Wight against Shanklin before going down 2-1 to Ilminster Town.
For Portchester, this would be their 7th FA Cup game in only their third season of entering. Last season saw them defeat Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Premier League Eastleigh and Pucklechurch Sports, before finally succumbing 3-2 at Bromley in Round One.
Many thanks to Portchester media guru Lindsay Hyde for sharing the team sheets with me before kick off.
On to today's clash at The Charters Community Stadium. History was already being made Winchester, having never managed to get to Round One before. Whatever happened, one of them was going to make it the second round for the first time.
Of the two sides, Winchester can boast the greater FA Cup experience, despite Portchester having managed to get further in the competition. This would be their 15th Women's FA Cup match and they had previously made the third qualifying round twice, losing to Southampton Women in 20178-18 and Poole Town in 2019-20. Last season they got to the second qualifier, winning 6-2 on the Isle of Wight against Shanklin before going down 2-1 to Ilminster Town.
For Portchester, this would be their 7th FA Cup game in only their third season of entering. Last season saw them defeat Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Premier League Eastleigh and Pucklechurch Sports, before finally succumbing 3-2 at Bromley in Round One.
Many thanks to Portchester media guru Lindsay Hyde for sharing the team sheets with me before kick off.
Sam Jennings heads in the equaliser On a chilly and damp afternoon at The Charters Stadium, it was Flyers who lived up to their name early on, getting off to a flyer when Libby Wilkinson's 4th minute left-foot volley beat Roxy Roberts and flew in off the far post. 1-0
The early setback prompted an immediate response from Portchester, urged on by their vocal support behind the Winchester goal. Four minutes after going behind they forced a corner on their left. Eilidh Currie delivered the ball into the centre of the six-yard box, where Sam Jennings rose higher than anyone to head past Eleanor Parker. 1-1.
Parker was almost immediately called back into action, blocking well from Charlotte Keenan before Flyers went straight up the other end, only for Kayleigh Tonks's strike to go wide. Before either team had chance to take in either of these opportunities, play swung back to the Winchester last third and, this time, it was a more decisive piece of action. Gemma Hillier picking up the ball some 25 yards out before striking low past Parke's left hand into the corner of the net. 1-2
After three goals in the opening sixteen minutes, and with the turnaround complete, Portchester looked to steady the game down. Laura Da Silva did her best to change this just past the midway point, but her low effort posed no real problem to Roberts. Then, just before the half-hour mark, City almost gifted Portchy a third, giving the ball away to the dangerous Gemma Hillier some 30 yards out, the midfielder immediately fed Charlotte Keenan, who stroked the ball past Parker only for the assistant's flag to chalk off the goal.
Flyers best efforts to get back on terms came through top scorer Libby Wilkinson. Her 35th minute drive from the edge of the box was easily dealt with by Roberts. Then, with a minute remaining in the half, Flyers were awarded a free-kick in a fairly central position some 30 yards out. Wilkinson stood over it, looking as is she was planning to drift a ball into the mix. Instead she fired goalward trying to catch Roberts flat-footed. However, the goalkeeper got across her line well to make the save under the crossbar.
HT Winchester City Flyers 1 AFC Portchester 2. A fair score on the balance of play in the first half. Flyers started very well but Portchester's response to going behind was exemplary. Still, the game was far from over at this point. Both sides had already shown that they had the wherewithal to cause their opponents problems.
The early setback prompted an immediate response from Portchester, urged on by their vocal support behind the Winchester goal. Four minutes after going behind they forced a corner on their left. Eilidh Currie delivered the ball into the centre of the six-yard box, where Sam Jennings rose higher than anyone to head past Eleanor Parker. 1-1.
Parker was almost immediately called back into action, blocking well from Charlotte Keenan before Flyers went straight up the other end, only for Kayleigh Tonks's strike to go wide. Before either team had chance to take in either of these opportunities, play swung back to the Winchester last third and, this time, it was a more decisive piece of action. Gemma Hillier picking up the ball some 25 yards out before striking low past Parke's left hand into the corner of the net. 1-2
After three goals in the opening sixteen minutes, and with the turnaround complete, Portchester looked to steady the game down. Laura Da Silva did her best to change this just past the midway point, but her low effort posed no real problem to Roberts. Then, just before the half-hour mark, City almost gifted Portchy a third, giving the ball away to the dangerous Gemma Hillier some 30 yards out, the midfielder immediately fed Charlotte Keenan, who stroked the ball past Parker only for the assistant's flag to chalk off the goal.
Flyers best efforts to get back on terms came through top scorer Libby Wilkinson. Her 35th minute drive from the edge of the box was easily dealt with by Roberts. Then, with a minute remaining in the half, Flyers were awarded a free-kick in a fairly central position some 30 yards out. Wilkinson stood over it, looking as is she was planning to drift a ball into the mix. Instead she fired goalward trying to catch Roberts flat-footed. However, the goalkeeper got across her line well to make the save under the crossbar.
HT Winchester City Flyers 1 AFC Portchester 2. A fair score on the balance of play in the first half. Flyers started very well but Portchester's response to going behind was exemplary. Still, the game was far from over at this point. Both sides had already shown that they had the wherewithal to cause their opponents problems.
Flyers looking for a way back in After an initial Portchester attack, dealt with by the home defence, Winchester began to knock the ball around nicely in the opening minutes of the second period. Both Kayleigh Tonks, on the right, and Emily McDonough, on the left, were keen to get on the ball. However, any balls into the box were being dealt with by a strong Portchester back-line, marshalled by Sam Jennings.
After fending off a fair few minutes of Flyers pressure, Portchester looked to turn things around again and, just before the hour point, they did just that. Gemma Hillier burst through, chasing down a through ball. Parker was quick off her line but Hillier just got there first, poking the ball past the keeper and running on to slot into an empty net. 1-3
With a two-goal deficit, it was going to be an uphill struggle for Flyers from this point. However, they didn't let their heads drop and set about trying to take the game to their visitors. A really neat passing move from Winchester then created a shooting opportunity for Wilkinson. The effort went well over, but it was a positive point for City, showing that they had the capacity to pass through the Portchester midfield. A few minutes later Wilkinson had Roberts throwing herself full length at a low drive that fizzed just past the keeper's right-hand upright.
However, as had happened all game when Winchester threatened, Portchester hit back at them. You know what they say, attack is the best form of defence. After those two Flyers attacks, Portchester broke down the left. The ball was half cleared but picked up on the edge of the box by Eilidh Currie. The Portchy captain evaded a challenge, stepped inside and drilled the ball beyond Parker. 1-4, and, effectively, game over. Winchester were not about to throw in the towel, but a three goal margin with only just over 20 minutes remaining looked to be beyond them.
Emily McDonough, who had chased everything all game, did get a half-chance for City on 79 minutes, but couldn't get enough on the shot to beat Roberts. Parker than had to make a good save from Sophie Bell at the other end.
Then, inside the final ten minutes, Roberts had to be very quick off her line, beating Eliza Eaton to a the ball after the substitute almost latched on to a flick on that split the defence. Flyers captain Lavinia Nkomo then rose highest to get a head onto a right-wing cross but was just off balance and couldn't hit the target. Sharna Capel Watson did hit the target in the 90th minute but the strike lacked power to beat Roberts. Into added time and, to their ultimate credit, Winchester were still pressing for a goal. Nkomo almost grabbed a very late consolation when her close range effort was blocked, she got another go at it but could only put her shot over the bar.
FT Winchester City Flyers 1 AFC Portchester 4. Overall, a deserved victory for Portchester although the final score suggests it was easier than it actually was, in reality. Winchester never gave up, even three goals behind in the final minutes, they continued to make Portchester work. The difference was probably in the taking of the chances. Portchy were clinical in the final third and ultimately that was decisive.,
Portchester go through to Round Two for the first time in their history and are the sole SoReg team remaining. However, it's different cup action for both teams next week. Winchester have a North Hants Cup clash at home to Overton. Meanwhile, Portchester are at home to Wimborne Town in the League Cup.
Update: Portchester now face a South Coast derby against AFC Bournemouth in Round 2. Bournemouth are currently second in Division One South-West of the National League.
Winchester City Flyers: 1.Parker, 4. Capel Watson, 17. Powell-Rowland, 2.Rooney, 24.Burt, 12.Whitlock, 11.Nkomo(c), 8.Wilkinson, 6.McDonough, 16. Da Silva, 15.Tonks. Subs: 59.Eaton, 1.White, 3.Chalk, 5.Moulding, 22.Harmer, 10.Smith
AFC Portchester: 1.Roberts, 2.Hier, 3.Hinton, 4.Jennings, 5.Marshall, 8.Stroem, 9.Keenan, 10.Hillier, 11.Bavister, 12.Currie(c), 19.Bell. Subs: 14.Woodard, 15.Hall-Guy, 16.Taylor, 18.Nightingale, 17.Crewe-Way, Pye
After fending off a fair few minutes of Flyers pressure, Portchester looked to turn things around again and, just before the hour point, they did just that. Gemma Hillier burst through, chasing down a through ball. Parker was quick off her line but Hillier just got there first, poking the ball past the keeper and running on to slot into an empty net. 1-3
With a two-goal deficit, it was going to be an uphill struggle for Flyers from this point. However, they didn't let their heads drop and set about trying to take the game to their visitors. A really neat passing move from Winchester then created a shooting opportunity for Wilkinson. The effort went well over, but it was a positive point for City, showing that they had the capacity to pass through the Portchester midfield. A few minutes later Wilkinson had Roberts throwing herself full length at a low drive that fizzed just past the keeper's right-hand upright.
However, as had happened all game when Winchester threatened, Portchester hit back at them. You know what they say, attack is the best form of defence. After those two Flyers attacks, Portchester broke down the left. The ball was half cleared but picked up on the edge of the box by Eilidh Currie. The Portchy captain evaded a challenge, stepped inside and drilled the ball beyond Parker. 1-4, and, effectively, game over. Winchester were not about to throw in the towel, but a three goal margin with only just over 20 minutes remaining looked to be beyond them.
Emily McDonough, who had chased everything all game, did get a half-chance for City on 79 minutes, but couldn't get enough on the shot to beat Roberts. Parker than had to make a good save from Sophie Bell at the other end.
Then, inside the final ten minutes, Roberts had to be very quick off her line, beating Eliza Eaton to a the ball after the substitute almost latched on to a flick on that split the defence. Flyers captain Lavinia Nkomo then rose highest to get a head onto a right-wing cross but was just off balance and couldn't hit the target. Sharna Capel Watson did hit the target in the 90th minute but the strike lacked power to beat Roberts. Into added time and, to their ultimate credit, Winchester were still pressing for a goal. Nkomo almost grabbed a very late consolation when her close range effort was blocked, she got another go at it but could only put her shot over the bar.
FT Winchester City Flyers 1 AFC Portchester 4. Overall, a deserved victory for Portchester although the final score suggests it was easier than it actually was, in reality. Winchester never gave up, even three goals behind in the final minutes, they continued to make Portchester work. The difference was probably in the taking of the chances. Portchy were clinical in the final third and ultimately that was decisive.,
Portchester go through to Round Two for the first time in their history and are the sole SoReg team remaining. However, it's different cup action for both teams next week. Winchester have a North Hants Cup clash at home to Overton. Meanwhile, Portchester are at home to Wimborne Town in the League Cup.
Update: Portchester now face a South Coast derby against AFC Bournemouth in Round 2. Bournemouth are currently second in Division One South-West of the National League.
Winchester City Flyers: 1.Parker, 4. Capel Watson, 17. Powell-Rowland, 2.Rooney, 24.Burt, 12.Whitlock, 11.Nkomo(c), 8.Wilkinson, 6.McDonough, 16. Da Silva, 15.Tonks. Subs: 59.Eaton, 1.White, 3.Chalk, 5.Moulding, 22.Harmer, 10.Smith
AFC Portchester: 1.Roberts, 2.Hier, 3.Hinton, 4.Jennings, 5.Marshall, 8.Stroem, 9.Keenan, 10.Hillier, 11.Bavister, 12.Currie(c), 19.Bell. Subs: 14.Woodard, 15.Hall-Guy, 16.Taylor, 18.Nightingale, 17.Crewe-Way, Pye
The Ground
The Charters Community Stadium, which was still the SimplyHealth Stadium when I last visited in 2019 (Matt Finish), has changed quite a bit in the intervening years. The most obvious difference is the pitch which was converted to an artificial surface. There is now spectator cover on all four sides of the ground. Gone is the uncovered Dave Green Stand on the rugby club side of the ground. There are now two stands on that side, both covered and both providing seating. There are sheltered terraces behind both goals and covered standing, set back a little from the pitch, in between the dugouts opposite the main stand.
The Charters Community Stadium, which was still the SimplyHealth Stadium when I last visited in 2019 (Matt Finish), has changed quite a bit in the intervening years. The most obvious difference is the pitch which was converted to an artificial surface. There is now spectator cover on all four sides of the ground. Gone is the uncovered Dave Green Stand on the rugby club side of the ground. There are now two stands on that side, both covered and both providing seating. There are sheltered terraces behind both goals and covered standing, set back a little from the pitch, in between the dugouts opposite the main stand.
The Programme - The Flyers Post
It was great to see that a glossy, full-colour, 8-page programme had been produced for the game. Contents included pen pictures of a few Winchester players, a note from manager Emma Pearmine, last week's match report, an overview of the club and the squad lists. At £2 it's in the higher price bracket but, in my opinion, its worthwhile purchasing to add a little extra into the coffers of the club.
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £2.00
It was great to see that a glossy, full-colour, 8-page programme had been produced for the game. Contents included pen pictures of a few Winchester players, a note from manager Emma Pearmine, last week's match report, an overview of the club and the squad lists. At £2 it's in the higher price bracket but, in my opinion, its worthwhile purchasing to add a little extra into the coffers of the club.
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £2.00
Portchy. Flying the flags
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