US Portsmouth 2-1 Melksham Town

FA CUP EXTRA-PRELIMINARY ROUND (AT AFC PORTCHESTER)
UNITED SERVICES PORTSMOUTH 2
Dark 43, Bowman 78
MELKSHAM TOWN 1
Ballinger 10

Attendance 84

US Portsmouth defeated reigning Wilshire Senior Cup winners and strong side Melksham Town, who came into the match slightly under strength, but still a dangerous proposition, to reach the FA Cup Preliminary Round.

It was the visitors who struck first as well, Ballinger reacting first after a speculative cross was dropped by Houkes in the US Portsmouth goal and he bundled home despite the onrushing defenders.
After this, US Portsmouth came back into the game but neither side managed to impose themselves fully on the tie and there were no clear cut chances until another fumbled cross, this time at the other end, saw Cal Coker fire home, but the referee deemed the keeper was impeded in the build up.
There was another similar attempt in the first half yet to come though, Mig Dark this time was in the right place at the right time to react and bundle home to equalise just before half time.

The break came at the wrong time for the home side, in a home from home at AFC Portchester, as US Portsmouth maintained pressure, but the sides went in 1-1.

The second half started much the same way as the first half had been played, a midfield battle and few clear cut chances. It was clear that what was on offer was important to both sides and neither wanted to let anything slip.
It took until the last 15 minutes of the game for the breakthrough, Brandon Bowman with a beautifully struck effort after a mistake from the Melksham keeper saw the ball break to the edge of the box.

Having been blasted into the lead, US Portsmouth needed to consolidate and maintain this, which became harder by several stoppages. Loz Wall took a nasty hit above the eye and Lee Bedden felt a tweak which saw him go off. Youngsters Drew Smith and Liam Bush were their replacements and helped US to the win despite a late challenge by the visitors which saw a shot deflected agonisingly wide of Houkes’ left post and it was enough to see them through.