Blues Steal Points With Second Half Revival - United Services Portsmouth vs. Amesbury Town

Watching from the trees at The Victory Stadium

When I first started taking interest in non league football, one of the teams that really intrigued me was Metropolitan Police. Since my knowledge of non league has expanded, United Services Portsmouth were another team I had found interesting especially as I had seen the seen the ground from the train when arriving into Portsmouth Harbour Station when I went to watch Gosport. United Services play in The Wessex League Division One and this weekend they were hosting Amesbury Town in what was another second versus clash. After a slow start to the season, United Services had won their last four league games and had beaten Clanfield of the Hampshire Premier League in The Portsmouth Senior Cup in midweek. Amesbury had not lost a league game so far this season and the stage was set for a great match.

Kick off at The Victory Stadium

The game takes a little while to get going and the first half chance of the game comes as the United Services forward is almost played in but the Amesbury defender makes a great last ditch tackle to deal with the danger. Amesbury's first chance comes when following a period of United Services pressure they are able to break out of defence but a heavy touch at the critical moment sees the chance go begging. The home side take the lead when the Amesbury defenders look for an offside flag after a long ball forward, it never comes and the United Services forward is left to slot the ball past the keeper to put his side one nil up. United Services are now well on top and a great footballing move results in the keeper having to make a great save with his legs. The hosts double their lead as the attacker is played in out on the wing and he lashes the ball in. Amesbury have a great chance to half the deficit just before half time but the striker blasts the ball over from a good shooting position.

United Services attack in the first half

Amesbury look to get back into the game right from the kick off of the second half and they create a couple of half chances without troubling the goalie. However, it is United Services who force the first save of the half as the keeper tips a low effort around the base of the post. Amesbury get their first goal when the centre forward is played in by a ball from midfield and he makes no mistake to make it 2-1. The visitors should really level the scores when a great cross finds the man in space but he puts the head wide when unchallenged. United Services nearly restore their two goal advantage as the forward is able to get in on goal and he drags his shot wide when he could have squared the ball. They are made to regret that missed chance as Amesbury get an equaliser shortly afterwards. After a couple of blocked shots, the ball comes out to the left winger who's driven cross is put past his own keeper by the unfortunate defender. Both sides have chances to score the winner and it is the visitors who complete the comeback and take the three points. The Amesbury attacker shows great control to kill the ball and he is then able to knock the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Front on view of the stand

As I alluded to earlier, the closest station to The Victory Stadium is Portsmouth Harbour. Trains here depart from Waterloo and the journey takes about an hour and three quarters. The ground is then a ten minute walk from the station. Pre match I explored Old Portsmouth and there are great views of the bay from The Round Tower. Right on the dock is The Bridge Tavern which has a great selection of beers and has outdoor seating on the dockside. A short distance away is The Spice Island Inn which provides a great view of The Spinnaker Tower. On The High Street, opposite the cathedral is The Dolphin which apparently is the oldest pub in Portsmouth and had a decent selection of ales. The Sportsman's Arms at the ground serves the numerous sports clubs at the complex and offers elevated views of the rugby and hockey pitches. It had a couple of offers on drinks and doubled up as the tea bar. I spoke to the vice chairman upon entering the ground and he said they were keen to attract more people into the ground for games and I can thoroughly recommend a visit to The Victory Stadium.

Another view of the stand with the tower in the background