PORLOCK, finalists last season, are through to the second round of the Somerset Junior Cup after beating Barrington 3-2 away.

The Robins started the better, controlling possession and dictating the tempo of the game, with multiple balls through the Barrington back line but nothing seemed to find the back of the net with the shots narrowly missing or the home goalkeeper being equal to it.

At around the half way point of the first half the home side appeared to grow in confidence and their back line started to creep a little higher up the pitch. New signing Jack Campbell-Farmer noticed this and played an inch perfect ball over the top to striker Caleb Laney, who brought the ball down and lobbed the goalkeeper to put Porlock 1-0 up after 30 minutes.

Porlock’s attacking presence was on show and the front three of Braden Taylor, Laney and Jari High were causing the home side some troubles. However with five minutes to go before the end of the first half disaster struck. Barrington broke quickly and scored which was very much against the run of play levelling the game at 1-1. Everything seemed to go against the travelling Robins as a minute before half time left back Branden Simsek was sin-binned for dissent.

Because of this Porlock had to play the first nine minutes of the second half with 10 players on the pitch. The home side capitalised on this and with the man advantage got their noses in front through a lovely finish from their striker. At the same time Simsek was allowed back on the field of play, midfielder Ollie Morris was substituted for winger Jari High to inject some fresh legs into Porlock’s attacking line up.

With 11 men back on the pitch and Barrington seemingly trying to wind down the clock as much as possible the final two subs were brought on. Guy Burns and Charlie Dodd replaced Declan Paterson and Braden Taylor to give a new look front three and a midfield reshuffle.

These substitutes appeared decisive as with 15 minutes to go Sam Harley found the run of Ollie Morris who glanced his header past the home goalkeeper to level the game yet again.

Charlie Dodd and Guy Burns out on the Porlock wings started to stretch the play a lot more and the now tired back line of Barrington were hanging on for dear life. A switched ball from the right flank to the left flank saw Dodd cut in from the left and beat three players and as he was about to let a shot off he was caught late by the Barrington captain right on the edge of the box.

Sam Harley stepped up and wrapped the ball around the wall and into the back of the net to open his Porlock account and also put the Robins ahead with eight minutes remaining.

Barrington threw everything they had at the Robins but their defence of Jack Campbell-Farmer, Zac Brown, Chris James and Branden Simsek put their bodies on the line and made sure that Barrington were not getting back into the game and taking the tie to penalties.

Porlock: Darren Sherring, Jack Campbell-Farmer, Zac Brown, Chris James, Branden Simsek, Declan Paterson, Adam Langdon (C), Sam Harley, Jari High, Braden Taylor, Caleb Laney. Subs (all used)- Charlie Dodd, Guy Burns, Ollie Morris.