Portchester 'A' 1-5 Chandlers Ford

PORTCHESTER ‘A’ 5-1 CHANDLERS FORD

15.1.05 – HANTS CUP SEMI-FINAL

CFY starting as underdogs from Division 2 against second placed Portchester from Division 1, made a determined start in a game that the visitors knew would be a tough game. Chandlers Ford were soon under heavy pressure early on as the Portchester side made a good move which resulted in a great save from keeper Lee Robertson who managed to tip a powerful strike over the bar to keep the scores level.

However minutes later Portchester were threatening the Chandlers Ford defenders once more as they raced into an early lead with a tap in from a corner kick. The home side doubled their lead almost instantly as they thrived on a misplaced kick and reacted quickest to fire the ball home.

Chandlers Ford managed to enjoy a brief spell of pressure but nothing that the solid Portchester side couldn’t deal with. Just before the half time interval the visitors took another blow as they conceded a free kick on the edge of the area, which was banged into the top right hand corner of the Chandlers Ford goal.

HALF TIME – Portchester 3-0 CFY

CFY came out strong in the second half as they looked the more lively and dangerous team as they strung a few good passes together and threatened the Portchester goal three times in the space of a couple of minutes. For the first time in the game Portchester were rattled and looked a nervous side as the visitors were playing the better football at the start of the second half. Twice Ronan Galloway was through one on one with the Portchester keeper but it was not to be.

Portchester managed to play their way back into the game again and they broke away down the left before nicking the ball ahead of Lee Robertson to poke the ball into the far corner of the net.

Chandlers Ford picked themselves up again and continued to battle in the middle of the park. Dale Hansford threaded a great pass through to Ronan Galloway who broke free of the last defender, before sprinting into the area and coolly slotting the ball between the Portchester keeper’s legs.

Just before the end of the game Portchester scored their fifth goal as they capitalised on the tiredness of some of the Chandlers Ford defenders.

Good luck to Portchester in the Final but well done to CFY for their battling display today and for getting all the way to the semi-final – A terrific cup run.

FULL TIME – Portchester 5-1 CFY