Final. Finally

It feels like I spend a lot of time at Arbour Park these days, but I couldn't resist another trip this Sunday for the Southern Region League Cup semi-final clash between Reading and AFC Portchester. Interestingly, even though we are getting towards the end of the league campaign, these two had not yet met this season, so there was no head-to-head information to give a clue to the outcome. In terms of recent form, the pointers were for an away win. Portchester came into the game on the back of six straight wins and an unbeaten league run stretching back to September. Reading, however, had won three of their last four in the league, one of which came against the then unbeaten leaders, Wycombe Wanderers. Two very good teams who both like to play football. Everything pointing a close and entertaining encounter.
A shoutout to both media teams too. Both post their teams online which means that there's no need to go in search of the referee to find the teams sheets.

Portchester threaten

​A lively start from the visitors was rewarded as early as the seventh minute when their full press forced an error inside the Reading half. The ball broke into the path of Sarah Butterworth, who swept a right-foot shot past Sophie Butler. 0-1.
Reading were finding it difficult to get a foothold on the game and were grateful to their keeper in the 10th minute April Hill sent in an effort on target that goalkeeper did well to save. Shannon Betteridge, in the Portchy goal, was little more than a spectator at this point, and she would have had the ideal view of Charmaine True's inch-perfect through ball that sent Hill clear again, but this time the shot went wide of the target.
On the midway point of the half, more pressing from Portchester harried Keren Banduka into giving the ball straight to True, who could only fire straight at Butler. The visitors were well on top at this point, still pressing high up the park and constantly forcing misplaced passes from the home team.
As half-time approached, Portchester were awarded a free-kick in a fairly central position, some 35 yards out. Distance was no object to Kim Fuller, who let rip, bringing a fine save from Sophie Butler. A minute into added time, Fuller was again on target with another free-kick. This time it went straight to Butler.

HT Reading 0 AFC Portchester 1. Dominance in terms of possession from Portchester, but would they come to regret only taking a one goal lead into the break.

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Reading improved in the 2nd half

​Portchester began the second half where they left off in the first. Within a minute, Sophie Bell called Butler into action again, but the keeper held on well to the strike. Reading, however, did mange to stem the flow of the Portchester attacks and, as the game wore on, they spent more and more time inside the visitor's half, but still without testing Betteridge. In fact, the home side were saved from going two down on the hour when substitute Isabella Rowden produced a superb last ditch tackle to thwart Charmaine True. That tackle fired up the home side a little more and, a few minutes later, Jasmine king finally called Betteridge into action. The shot went straight at the keeper, but at least she had to make the stop.
Portchester were still a threat when they got forward. Millie Bradbury was inches away from connecting a diving header to Butterworth's tempting cross. That was on 70 minutes. One minute later, Reading generated their best opportunity so far and it came from a  route one ball that beat the Portchester defence, allowing Tia Johnson a clear strike at goal, only for Betteridge to make a good stop. Much more promising from reading and, for the first time in the game, Portchester were beginning to look a little more vulnerable. The early pressing that had given them the goal, and created a few other chances, was not so noticeable, which was allowing Reading to get forward much more. With 15 minutes left to play Rowden, who had earlier made the exceptional tackle, decided to have a go at the other end. Stepping onto a ball near halfway and drifting past a couple of challenges, before sending an absolute screamer narrowly wide of Betteridge's right-hand post.
The home team were really giving it a go in this second half, but the Portchester defence was standing firm and, when they did manage to break, they still looked dangerous. None more so than in the 83rd minute when Butler did brilliantly to parry Butterworth's initial effort and Bradbury put the rebound wide of the post. Three minutes later, Butler made another good stop after Bradbury broke clear, before bravely diving at the striker's feet to thwart the follow-up. However, Butler took a nasty knock in the incident and, after fairly lengthy treatment, was replaced in goal by Bethan Poole. Good to see and hear applause from both sets of supporters as the stricken keeper walked off.
Despite the home side having an outfield player in goal, they kept the ball away from their goal and continued to look for a late leveller, all to no avail, as Portchy held on to progress to the final.

FT Reading 0 AFC Portchester 1. A much improved second-half from Reading. However, they weren't able to find the illusive equaliser. Portchester continued to look dangerous on the break and defended solidly for the majority of the game. After losing at this stage in the previous two years. Portchester finally got over the line to set up a meeting with Wycombe Wanderers in the final, after the Chairgirls won 3-2 at Winchester in the other semi. The final will take place at Scours Lane (Reading City FC) on Sunday April 26 at 3pm.
Before that, both teams are back in league action next weekend. Reading make the trip to bottom side Badshot Lea who they beat 4-1 at home on the opening day. Portchester, meanwhile, travel to Holloways Park to take on Beaconsfield, who came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Portchester in September.
Wishing Sophie Butler a swift recovery.

Reading: 1.Butler, 3.Whitburn, 4.Kez.Banduka, 5.Thompson, 6.Poole, 9.Cowell, 11.Parker(c), 17.Tong, 18.Johnson, 20.Bolitho, 22.King. Subs: 2.Rowden, 7.Manners, 14.Ker.Banduka, 19.Wilson, 21.Hayes
AFC Portchester: 13.Betteridge, 2.Bell, 4.Smith, 5.Potvin, 6.Marshall, 7.Butterworth, 9.True, 10.Hillier(c), 11.Fuller, 12.Hill, 22Barron-Clark. Subs: Saunders, Stroem, Riley, Bradbury, Aitken


Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: 

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