Image: Courtesy Paul Knight
Match Report: Dave Ring
Fawley AFC 1–6 Portland United – FA Challenge Vase – Saturday 20th September (3:00pm)
It was six of the best for the Blues as they stormed the Brickability Group Stadium, home of Step 6 Fawley AFC, in what proved to be a dominant display from the Wessex Premier League side.
A bright, breezy afternoon in Hampshire set the scene for a pulsating contest, and the Blues wasted no time announcing their intentions. After just five minutes, a perfectly weighted cross found the head of Jamie Cleaver, who made no mistake, planting the ball into the back of the net. 0–1.
Fawley responded through a stroke of fortune when a mix-up by Blues keeper Harry Foden gifted them a free kick just six yards from goal. Will Berry, the Oilers’ number 10, stepped up and blasted home to level the score. 1–1.
The Blues regained control with a sublime strike from Josh Camp in the 33rd minute, volleying an in-swinging cross past keeper Jamie Bruce. 1–2. And just before half-time, top scorer Greg Borthwick found space and rifled home to give the visitors a commanding 1–3 lead.
The second half saw more of the same, with the Blues dominating possession and carving open the Fawley defence. In the 56th minute, a penalty was awarded after a foul in the box, and Borthwick stepped up once more, coolly slotting the ball past the outstretched keeper. 1–4.
Fawley struggled to keep up with the pace and precision of Portland’s attack. On 61 minutes, Jacob Coombs rose highest to head home a well-placed delivery into the net. 1–5. Not content to stop there, Archie Woolford weaved into the box to make it 1–6, putting the result beyond doubt.
The Blues manager then rotated his squad on 68 minutes, bringing on Pat Jenkins, Marcus Smith, Hayden Scott, James Coat, and George Stuttle, giving the squad valuable minutes and fresh legs for the closing stages.
The match almost ended with an extraordinary twist. Remus Nixon outpaced a flailing defender to slot the ball home, only for it to disappear through a hole in the net, ending up behind the goal. The referee, unaware of the bizarre incident, awarded a corner instead—leaving players, officials, and spectators in disbelief.
It ended 1–6 to the Blues, a superb away performance that not only entertained but also secured their place in the draw for the First Round Proper of the FA Challenge Vase. A day to remember in Hampshire for Portland United.
Fawley AFC
Jamie Bruce, Evan Smith, Hamza Abdi, Fraiser Craigen, Joel Francis, Matt Hawkins (c), Indrit Elezi, Bashkit Mohammad, Jack Roberts, Will Berry, James Clifton.
Subs: Luca Burch, Alfie Dewey, Jamie Tribe, Ollie Connors, Dylan Knight.
Portland United
Harry Foden, Jacob Coombs, Tom Peach, Jamie Cleaver, Sam Godsby, Callum Corbridge, Archie Woolford, Josh Williams, Greg Borthwick, Josh Camp, Remus Nixon.
Subs: Patrick Jenkins, Marcus Smith, Hayden Scott, James Coat, George Stuttle.
