PORLOCK have moved out of the relegation zone in the Premier Division in the Centregreat Taunton Saturday Football League after beating Staplegrove 3-2 at home despite being reduced to ten men.

Before the kick off Staplegrove sat on ten points after six games while Porlock were bottom of the table with three points after four, so the Robins knew they were in for a battle.

Both teams struggled for early possession, but it was Porlock who had the first chance when Caleb Laney pounced on a through ball down the right hand side, cut in and tried to lob the keeper but it went just wide.

Staplegrove then started to make use of their possession a lot better and on 30 minutes took the lead.

Porlock didn’t shy away though and kept pressing but unfortunately nothing dropped in the right place and it remained 1-0 at half time.

Within five minutes of the re-start skipper Adam Langdon was given a straight red card, after his reaction to a late challenge missed by the referee.

With 11 men and a goal up Staplegrove attempted to suffocate the hosts with possession, but Porlock had other ideas as their grit and determination grew even stronger. Then on 70 minutes a pass from Guy Burns found Caleb Laney who coolly put the ball into the back of the net to level the score.

Staplegrove seemed shell-shocked by what had just happened being caught so quickly on a counter-attack. They got back on the ball and continued to try and press for a winner which again left more space in behind them.

Another quick counter-attack and Laney was through again; this time he squared the ball to Burns who narrowly missed the ball but this played into Porlock’s hands as the keeper spilled the ball which fell perfectly to Sam Harley at the back post who tapped the ball into an empty net to put Porlock ahead.

Straight from the kick off Staplegrove got back on the ball and in what was their first attack after going 2-1 to 10 men their substitute found the head of their striker and he found the bottom corner to put the game at 2-2.

With 13 minutes to go Porlock were reduced to nine men when Ollie Morris was sin-binned. Staplegrove tried their hardest to take advantage and battered the Porlock back line but they stood strong.

Morris served his time off the pitch and returned to make an immediate impact. Following a 50/50 challenge with the Staplegrove left back Jari High somehow ended up with the ball and managed to pass it to Morris who was unmarked on the right side of the pitch. Morris then played an inch perfect pass to High who beat the Staplegrove captain, before he cut inside and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to win the game for Porlock in dramatic style.

This victory was thoroughly deserved and was the outcome of the Porlock team’s grit and determination throughout the game.

Porlock’s starting line up: Darren Sherring, Jack Campbell-Farmer, Oliver Heathfield, Chris James, Branden Simsek, Sam Harley, Adam Langdon (C), Ollie Morris, Braden Taylor, Caleb Laney and Guy Burns. Subs (all used): Jari High and Finley Priddle.

This coming weekend, Porlock make the long trip to Bristol to face Fry Club ‘A’ in the Somerset Junior Cup.