Winchester City Flyers had to settle for a draw thanks to a last 92nd-minute own goal against AFC Portchester on Sunday in the Southern Region Premier Division.

Annie Northwood broke the deadlock in the first-half before the hosts drew level through Eilidh Currie seven minutes after the break.

The striker looked to have won the game with a great finish in the 90th minute however, Portchester hit back two minutes later as a corner took an unfortunate touch to ensure the points were shared.

Emma Pearmine took a strong squad with her to Portchester in search of her team’s first points of the season, Annie Northwood and Lydia Moulding were given their first starts of the season.

The first real efforts went to Portchy as they forced Ellie Parker into action, smothering the ball before she had to watch a high cross and push it over the crossbar.

Northwood was caught offside in a promising position before the hosts’ captain Currie saw her long-range effort well caught by Parker.
With 14 minutes on the clock, it was Winchester who took the lead.

Shayne Prasad played the ball inside for Vinnie Nkomo to drive onto where she took a turn in the middle of the park before she released Northwood into the box for a low finish.

The hosts hit back looking for a breakthrough however, their crosses were handled by Parker and found it difficult to get past the defence.
It wasn’t all about the hosts and the Flyers got forward looking to extend their lead.

Nkomo went close but was shut down quickly by the Porchester goalkeeper, Shannon Betteridge and Northwood had a glorious opportunity a couple of minutes from half-time but her shot lacked the power.

After the break, Portchester got their chance in the 52nd minute through a free-kick on the edge of the box.

The Portchy skipper stepped up and struck the ball low into the bottom corner for the equaliser.

More attacks came for the hosts, Natalie Bavister had a volley deflected wide before Millie Bradbury blazed her attempt over and then Parker managed to get a touch on a shot from Currie to deny them the lead.

Emily McDonough had come off the bench and was using her pace to cause problems, Laura da Silva put her through but Betteridge was there to make the save.

Another substitute Libby Wilkinson, returning from her opening day suspension, had two free-kicks well saved by Betteridge.

Then as the game headed towards the finish, there was late drama.

McDonough knicked the ball from the feet of Currie and put Northwood through with two defenders on her left to tuck home her second of the game.

The euphoria was short-lived as Portchester earned a corner in the second minute of injury-time.

Currie stepped up to take, as she had all game, curling the ball towards the front post where Moulding had come forward however, the ball struck her left knee and found its way into the goal.

Both teams looked for a winner in the limited time left but in the end, they had to settle for a point a piece.

It’s Winchester’s first point of the season but with the previous week’s win in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, they are now two games unbeaten.

Full-time: AFC Portchester 2 Flyers 2