PORLOCK Reserves gained a 7-0 away win over Norton Fitzwarren Reserves in their opening fixture in the Taunton & District Saturday Football League. 

Porlock manager James Griffiths wanted his side to make a strong start to the season and he wasn’t disappointed. 

Porlock started the first half as most would’ve expected with both teams trading attacks but nothing was troubling the keepers.  

However as the game went on the Porlock midfield of Ollie Morris, Jack Evans and Declan Paterson started to cause the Norton defence problems with some lovely balls being played through their lines, allowing wingers Finley Priddle and Ryan Cape to breakthrough forcing the home ‘keeper in to action.  

The first blow came from a Ryan Cape corner which was perfectly delivered to the back post and Ollie Morris with a bullet header opened Porlock’s account for the season.  It wasn’t long before Norton had their own chance which forced the visitors keeper Joe Ferris in to a close range stop. 

Thankfully the defenders were quick to react from the shot and cleared the ball down field.  With not long to go until half time Morris doubled his tally sending Porlock in at half time with a 2-0 lead.  

The visitors’ manager knew his side had more to give and that they did. With the second half whistle only just blown Morris latched on to a bouncing ball which he lobbed over the keeper from just inside the 18 yard box to claim his hat-trick. Morris’ afternoon was not finished yet and he was hungry for more goals.

 A perfectly delivered free kick from substitute Oliver Heathfield saw Morris claim his fourth of the game. At this point it seemed that Morris had the key to unlocking the defence and the Porlock team recognised this with a lovely passage of play between Jack Evans, Cody Truscott and Heathfield which produced a lovely through ball to Ollie Morris who slotted home for his and the team’s fifth. 

Finley Priddle soon joined in on the action and curled the ball in to the top right hand corner in what could potentially be a goal of the season.  

With the game done and dusted the manager made some changes and brought on youth coach Stuart Paterson which proved to be the correct decision as he used the ball well before releasing Morris through on goal to slot home his sixth. Norton tried valiantly to get a consolation goal but try as they may Porlock’s back line stood strong to see out the game in a very professional manner and claim the three points and a clean sheet to start the season. 

Porlock Reserves, back left to right: Oliver Heathfield, Ryan Cape, Ryan Knowles, Karl Middleton-Smith, Cody Truscott, Ollie Morris, Finley Priddle, David Hodgson, Stuart Paterson and James Griffiths; front: Stuart Brown, Jack Evans, Rio Howard (C), Joe Ferris, Dave Furse and Declan Paterson.