The greatest win in USP’s history
Higher tier Portchester sent crashing out of FA Vase
US Portsmouth produced a stunning display to dump higher division AFC Portchester out of the FA Vase.
First half goals from strikers Dec Seiden and Andrew Todd gave Glenn Turnbull’s underdogs a 2-1 victory against the club many have tipped as favourites to win the Wessex League Premier Division.
It was undoubtedly the greatest result in US Portsmouth’s history, and it was also thoroughly deserved.
The Wessex Division 1 side had given up home advantage in order to reap the financial benefits of playing the second qualifying round in front of a bigger attendance at The Crest Finance Stadium.
A larger crowd certainly didn’t deter them as they dominated the first half and could easily have gone in at half-time three or four goals up instead of just 2-0.
The tempo was set early on, with Seiden firing over and Royals keeper Brad Snelling producing a good save to deny top scorer James Franklyn.
It was no surprise when US took a 22nd minute lead, Todd collecting a loose ball on the right and crossing for Seiden to hit a first-time shot that arced over Snelling from the edge of the penalty area.
With Callum Glen and Jordan Pile controlling central midfield - and with Josh Hazell and Dan Sibley using their pace as wingbacks - US continued to cause problems and Snelling twice saved from Franklyn.
At the other end, a threeman central defensive unit of Tom Jeffes, Tom Cain and John Cass were easily dealing with dangermen Lee Wort and Craig Harding.
In time added on, US added the second goal that their dominance deserved when Todd, one of three ex-Portchester players in the US starting XI - alongside Cain and keeper Tom Price - lashed in a volley.
Royals boss Mick Catlin made a half-time defensive change, bringing on Luke Dempsey for centre half Ollie Searle, but US continued to create the better chances.
Franklyn - who had scored in his first six games of 2020/21 - was again denied by Snelling before Hazell flashed a ball across the six-yard box.
The hosts lost top scorer Wort to a groin injury, Liam Crook coming on at leftback and skipper Rob Evans moving into midfield.
That wasn’t the end of Mick Catlin’s injury woes, though, as Snelling was forced off a broken finger. Having planned to bring on Alex Baldacchino for extra firepower up front, instead he had to put Cameron Scott in goal.
The Royals did reduce the deficit on 69 minutes, Evans scoring from close range.
It was US’ turn to then suffer a double injury - Cain coming off with cramp in both legs and Hazell unable to continue after being clattered
by a sliding Mason tackle.
The US players were adamant Mason should be sent off for violent conduct, but he was only shown a yellow card.
Liam Kyle came on for Cain and Elliott Turnbull was introduced in place of Hazell for his first first XI appearance of the season.
The expected late Portchester rally never materialised – Toby Adekunle firing wide
from a rare opening - and it was US who had the better chances.
Scott raced out of his area to clear from Franklyn, while Turnbull fired wide at the far post and Franklyn shot over in the closing seconds.
The roars of delight at the final whistle told you everything you needed to know about
how important this win was to US.
It was a victory to savour, the sort of moment you have to celebrate as they don’t come around too often.
The sort of moment that makes the lesser games worthwhile.
‘The lads did celebrate it well,’ reported boss Turnbull. ‘There was a fantastic atmosphere in the changing room afterwards - that included the whole squad, not just those on the pitch.
‘I’m sure there would have
been some sore heads in the morning.’
US have now beaten five Wessex Premier sides since football came out of lockdown. Pre-season friendly wins against Baffins (5-0), Horndean (1-0) and Cowes Sports (2-0) was followed by a 3-0 Wessex League Cup win against Tadley Calleva.
Tadley, though, fielded a belowstrength side. In contrast, Portchester fielded one packed with experience including two men who have won the FA Vase, Wort and Mason.
This was not the first time US have beaten a Wessex Premier side in the Vase; in 2009/10 they won 4-0 at Lymington Town – one of only six Vase wins in 16 seasons prior to Saturday’s games. But Lymington finished third bottom of the top flight back then, while Portchester have eyes firmly set on reaching the Southern League.
That is why Saturday’s success will go down in USP folklore.
AFC Portchester: Snelling (Scott), Hibberd, Evans, Searle, (Dempsey), Hardy, Hanratty, Chamberlain, Mason, Wort, Harding, Adekunle. US Portsmouth: Price, Sibley, Hazell (Turnbull), Cass, Cain (Kyle), Jeffes, Pile, Glen, Franklyn, Todd, Seiden.