Saturday afternoon saw the visit of local rivals, AFC Portchester and many familiar faces for an FA Cup Preliminary Round tie. Recent former players Jack Lee and Ryan Pennery started, whilst on the sidelines was former Moneys coach Neil Tomlinson.
It took some time for both teams to really make an impact on the game, the first 20 minutes passing by with not alot to report. On 24 minutes Lawrence Cooper had to come on to replace Tom Jeffes who picked up a knock. Appeared to be just a muscle strain and hopefully not too much more. Debutant Jack Farrier moved out of midfield and into Jeffes centre back role for the rest of the game.
Portchester grew in confidence and created a number of chances as we edged towards half time, but nothing that threatened Smarty’s goal too much.
Then in the 42nd minute, Faris made one of his trademark mazy runs down the left wing and crossed low towards the penalty spot. James Franklyn was there to meet it ahead of the defender, and put the ball into the bottom corner with a perfect toe poke. One nil Moneys!
Only 3 minutes later, Faris again crossed after some superb work down the left for Adam Payce to brilliantly place a header into the bottom corner. Sadly Franko was judged to have fouled defender Jack Lee as the ball made its way into the box.
In first half stoppage time, a messy goalmouth scramble following a corner ensued. Portchy’s number 7 Ryan Wilkins unleashed an effort that was heading top bins, but Moneys stopper Callum Smart pulled out a fantastic save to keep Moneyfields in the lead going into half time.
Half-Time: Moneyfields 1-0 AFC Portchester
Just 7 minutes into the second half, Portchester drew level. What has to be noted as a world-class strike from Portchy’s Alfie Stanley from over 25 yards, was something akin to a Beckham like free-kick, but in open play. The ball ran across into Stanley’s path just off centre to the right of the goal, and he has curled it across Smarty, into the top left of the net.
On the hour mark, Faris was painfully close to restoring Moneys advantage. He twisted and turned into the box, sending two defenders away for a tea break, then attempted to curl a shot from inside the box. Sadly, it hit the cross bar and deflected away from the goal.
With just under 15 minutes to go, Cal Glen made his first unforced change, bringing on Mikey O’Connell for Rudi Blankson as Portchester were growing in confidence and looking threatening again.
That confidence was completed with a little over 5 minutes of normal time to go. Lee Wort scored his fourth FA Cup goal of the season and gave the Arancione the lead. A shot at Smarty wasn’t held and Wort has run in to put the ball into the net and give Portchester the late momentum.
Kevin Ngombi and Kieran Alcock then replaced Jordan Pile and Louis Gates as Money’s management tried to salvage our FA Cup journey on 86 minutes.
Sadly nothing more was to come of the game and Portchester will be in the hat on Monday for the next round. A very good game and an undoubted improvement from Tuesday nights performance against Hartley Wintney, with plenty of positives to take, whilst there is still more gelling to be done by the new manager Callum Glen and his coaching staff with the squad the club has assembled.
Full-Time: Moneyfields 1-2 AFC Portchester
Platinum Restoration Man of the Match: Jack Farrier