AFC Portchester emerged victorious in a five goal thriller at the Onsite Group Stadium over Winchester City Flyers, winning 3-2 on the opening day of the Southern Region Premier Division.

The first-half looked relatively even until Sarah Butterworth and Millie Bradbury put Portchester 2-0 up before the break.

Libby Wilkinson and Laura da Silva led the comeback as they both found the net but there would be no points for the Flyers as Betty Barron-Clark found the back of the net in the 90th minute.

Emma Pearmine selected a strong 16 to travel to the coast, which included three new faces in Sophie Byway, Laura Vokes and Sian Wylie.

There was little to separate the two sides in the opening exchanges until new striker Wylie found herself one-on-one with Millie Holloway, only to strike the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

There were half-chances and small attacking opportunities that came throughout the half for both sides, but neither team were able to create a clear opening.

Laura da Silva was having some joy on the wing where she found Kayleigh Tonks just inside; however, Wylie was unable to get on the end of the midfielder's delivery.

The breakthrough came courtesy of Butterworth, who latched onto a swift attacking move to put the home side ahead.

Then on the stroke of half-time Bradbury found herself in the box to chip over Lydia Moulding and Ellie Parker to double Portchester's lead.

Winchester refused to capitulate, showing renewed vigour after the break.

Their persistence paid off in the 61st minute—a mix-up at the back for Portchester allowed Wilkinson to round Holloway and slot home, marking her first goal of the season and halving the deficit.

Just two minutes later winger Laura da Silva embarked on a forceful drive into the box and unleashed a powerful strike that ricocheted in off the post, drawing the Flyers level.

Shayne Prasad had a great chance to put Winchester in front but couldn’t find the chance to shoot as Holloway did enough to put the attacker off and the chance quickly disappeared.

Tonks was next to test Holloway and the keeper on again came out on top with a strong hand denying the midfielder.

As the game headed towards the final whistle the hosts broke through.

There was a coming together as Winchester tried to clear their lines and Barron-Clark fired in hard and low to restore the lead and clinch the three points for the hosts.

Minutes later the final whistle came and Winchester fall to a fourth consecutive opening day defeat.

Attention turns to the home game on Sunday 14th September against Badshot Lea.

Full-time: AFC Portchester 3 Flyers 2