AFC Portchester – Play Off Semi Final

– Wednesday 24th April 2024

Shaftesbury vs AFC Portchester

So here we are. After a 3rd place finish matched our 2021/22 season highest placing in the English pyramid in Step 5 of non league we all know the form. We all know about the recent results and of course ‘Rockies’ Review ‘ is always flexible in it’s format.

Saturday’s game against Andover New Street almost felt like it was a friendly game with players rotated and rested against a side that had one win in twelve.

Apart from Moneyfields and the Portland United draw we had won every game here and I got the impression ourselves and AFC Portchester had already accepted we were facing each other.

‘Rockies’ boss Jim Milligan had a choice today. Did he gamble on AFC Stoneham losing and go all out on Andover New Street or did we do what we did and totally focus on Wednesday?

Taking the former is the right thing to do. Everyone has minutes after three games in a week and we did enough to earn a draw on Saturday except for that rather ridiculous penalty decision after a tussle in the box. I didn’t even see New Street appealing for it.

With the play offs and it being the first season we have had this format in the Velocity Wessex League the form book goes out of the window somewhat.

AFC Portchester defeated AFC Stoneham 1-0 to reach the Velocity Wessex League Cup final. They were held 0-0 by Andover New Street at the On Site Group Stadium and lost 1-0 at Foxcotte Park. They defeated Petersfield Town 3-1 and drew 1-1 with Brockenhurst.

We defeated them 1-0 here on the 23rd March though they did win ‘El Creekio’ emphatically 6-2 against local rivals Fareham Town.

Saturday wasn’t us, it was about making sure George Bennett, Tyson Pollard and Ryan King all got a good run out. King looks a good prospect and set up Brett Pitman to score. Pitman was totally aware he didn’t want to pick up an injury. Louis Kellaway and Ben Satterley rested took to a watching brief.

⭐ High points – Brett Pitman’s 57 league goals and with two in the cups 59 in total surpassing the record of 55 set by Winchester City’s Andy Forbes in 2003/04. Pitman scoring seven against Christchurch in December also worthy of note.

⭐Manager Jim Milligan with coach Issac Berry led the side to nine successive victories before we needed to rotate and give players a rest and others gametime.

⭐Other top moments – Louis Kellaway’s winner at Dorchester Town in the Dorset Senior Cup. A magic moment.

Pitman’s donkey kick at Baffins Milton Rovers winning the game. Unbelievable. Pitman slamming seven v Christchurch and many more.

Cam Beard reaching 15 league goals. 16 in all competitions including his hat trick in the 8-0 home win over Lymington Town.

Ash Pope’s winner at Brislington in the FA Cup and Jim scoring vs Hamworthy United Reserves in a pre season friendly!

😔Low Points – Highworth Town in the FA Vase, Reading City in the FA Cup and the 3-0 defeat to Downton in the Wessex League Cup. Moneyfields away at Fareham Town and the defeats at Sherborne Town and Fareham Town.

Shaftesbury – Brett Pitman 59, Cameron Beard 16, Callum Sweeney 11, Steve Devlin 7, Greg Peel 6, Asa Philips 6, Stuart Green 5, Louis Kellaway 4, Steve Walker 4, Ashley Pope 4, Liam Farrugia 2, Ben Satterley 2, Joe Wickham 2, Billy Maybury 2, Ash Wells 1, Sam Davidson 1, Luke Holmes 1, Aaron Roberts 1.

AFC Portchester – Harrison Brook 25, Lee Wort 19, Josh Benfield 17, George Barker 10, Scott Jones 8, James Cowan 7, Archie Wilcox 7, Ryan Woodford 5, Charlie Williamson 4, Liam Robinson 4, Brett Williams 3, Marley Ridge 3, Kane O’Keefe 3, Conor Bailey 3, Ryan Wilkins 2, Jake Raine 2, Mitchell Parker 2, James Crane 2, Harvey Hughes 1, Fatah Makhloufi 1, Henry Martin 1, Leyton Farminer 1

🐌 Interesting Facts – We have used 41 players this season compared to 50 last season. That figure includes Charlie Davis, Lloyd Issac and Jack Dickson who made just one appearance.

Review/ photo’s by Avril Lancaster 🐌

Callum Sweeney tussles with AFC Portchester in our 1-0 win here. Dan Bartlett assesses the situation.

Milligan’s warriors – Cam Beard with the boss and his player of the month trophy. Cam has 16 goals in all competitions.