Merthyr 5 Portishead 1

Today's team:-

Williams,J.Thomas,A.Thomas,Newall;
Griffiths,Harris,Dorrian,Armitage;
Stiens,Prosser;

Subs: Jenkins for Griffiths after about 55 minutes
Adam Thomas for Dorrian after about 65 minutes
Owen for Stiens after about 80 minutes

With no Tareq Khall in the squad and Dean Clarke suspended, the fit-again Ryan Dorrian was joined in midfield by Matthew Harris, with Jamie Thomas coming into central defence allowing Steve Williams to move to right back.

After about 4 minutes Scott Armitage beat his man down the left and put over a cross, but a weak left-foot shot by Marcus Griffiths was easily saved.

We'd looked much the better side early on, but after about 10 minutes the Merthyr keeper was called into action to make a very good block to a shot from the right of the area.

About 5 minutes later Matthew Harris put a shot well over the bar when unmarked on the right.

We were seeing plenty of the ball in midfield and up front but somehow couldn't manage a worthwhile effort on goal. But after about 20 minutes we at last took the lead. Jonathan Newall started it when he ran a long way down the left to force a throw in. From that the ball came to Ryan Prosser on the left of the area. He took it across to the right and slotted it across the keeper.

About 11 minutes later we made it 2-0. Scott Armitage ran down the left, beat a defender close to the goal-line and put the ball across for Ryan Prosser to hit a first-time shot past the goalkeeper.

About 5 minutes before half time we gave the scoreline a more realistic look when Ryan Dorrian swung a corner in from the right. Andrew Thomas headed it towards the far post and Craig Stiens tapped the ball in from close range.

5 minutes into the second half a good run on the right saw Craig Stiens chip the ball across for the keeper to make a point blank save from Ryan Prosser.

10 minutes into the half Andrew Jenkins replaced Marcus Griffiths who had looked a lttle out of touch in front of goal, and may not have been fully fit. Almost straight away Ryan Prosser broke away on the right and passed inside to Andrew Jenkins who put a shot narrowly wide of the far post.

About 4 minutes later the keeper just kept out a Craig Stiens shot at the foot of the post.

But after about an hour Portishead pulled a goal back when a long ball down the middle left a man clear to score.

A minute later Andrew Jenkins set Ryan Prosser up to have a shot well saved.

Ryan Dorrian, no doubt still not fully fit, was then replaced in midfield by Adam Thomas.

We almost got a 4th when a Portishead defender hit his own post, the ball rebounding to Craig Stiens who could only touch the ball wide (although a corner was given).

We made it 4-1 with about 10 minutes to go. Matthew Harris broke down the left, drawing defenders to him. He was able to put the ball across to the right where Ryan Prosser and Andrew Jenkins were waiting, for the latter to score the best goal of the game with a shot high into the net from a narrow angle.

Lee Owen then replaced Craig Stiens, with Scott Armitage moving into the middle.

We made it the biggest home win of the season with about 3 minutes to go. Andrew Jenkins showed good persistence down the right to put the ball into the middle for Ryan Prosser to knock it down for Lee Owen to put into the net from 10 yards.

It certainly looked like top of the table versus bottom today. Especially early on in the game when we were finding room all over the pitch. I put it down to the long lay-off since the last game that we didn't get more than 3 goals in the first half. For the second half Portishead brought on their assistant manager, Andy Llewellyn, who's played hundreds of league games for Bristol City. He played as sweeper and made it a bit less easy for us going forward. But not for the first time we still managed a late goal or two to make the scoreline look more of a reflection on the difference between the two sides.

Matthew Harris possibly our best player on the day, Ryan Dorrian was also key as we made it look easy at times in midfield. Ryan Prosser had a good first half, possibly faded a little at times in the second, but was still unlucky not to have got a third goal. Andrew Jenkins also played a significant part in the time he was on.

Attendance of 309, although a Bank Holiday, was not bad considering the wintry conditions.

Any news of the reason for Tareq Khalil's absence from the squad?

Apparently Tareq was at a family wedding.

In Dubai so I understand - no doubt it's a lot warmer there! We looked rusty today which is not surprising due to our month's layoff. Matthew Harris was excellent in midfield today and when Leekie starts playing we'll have the best ball playing midfield in the Western League. Jamie Thomas looked cool and competent along with Tubbsy at the back and we could and should have won by more but we disappointed in the 2nd half. MOTM - Matthew Harris.

I was very pleased with the performance after the last NON EVENT against Willand in the League Cup..

It was releaving to see us playing again for what I hope personally is the last time at Taffs Well (appeal permitting), a few of the lads were blowing from an early stage, especially up front, but Portishead were poor and offered very little and in truth we brushed them aside..

Mom Matthew Harris or Johnathan Newall, both did really well

Great game and well deserved

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Court-tells-Bristol-City-star-Andy-Llewellyn-pay-loan/article-511117-detail/article.html

Hope nobody lent Andy money last Monday!