Windsor & Eton push Portishead all the way in historic FA Cup debut

Pawel Kowalkowski scores in Saturday's 4-3 FA Cup defeat to Portishead Town. Photo: Richard Milam

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It’s been an exciting and action-packed start to the season for Windsor & Eton FC, who were foiled 4-3 by Portishead Town in their first ever FA Cup match on Saturday.

The Royalists were entering the competition for the first time at the Extra Preliminary round stage, and they played out a thriller away from home, battling back from 4-2 down to set up a nail-biting finale.

However, their rivals held on to book their place in the preliminary round of this famous competition.

In a thrilling tie which saw momentum change hands on several occasions, Windsor & Eton could never quite get their noses in front as they tried to extend their run in this season’s competition.

They fell behind in the fourth minute to a goal from Jack Thorne but only trailed for seven minutes before Pawel Kowalkowski drew the visitors level.

Toby Bridges was forced off with an injury in the 20th minute, with Shay Kelly coming on in his place and six minutes later Ethan Feltham restored Portishead’s lead.

That’s the way things remained until the 48th minute when the Portishead keeper took out Emile Hohmann in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Kowalkowski stepped up again to slot home his second of the game and it seemed the Royalists might be able to build a head of steam from there.

Unfortunately, any momentum they had was quickly wrestled back by Portishead, and striker Ethan Feltham in particular as he scored twice more to complete his hat-trick in the 54th and 68th minutes.

The tie looked dead and buried from a Windsor & Eton perspective, but they grabbed a goal back through Ross McKernan in the 87th minute and pushed hard for a leveller but it just wasn’t meant to be.

Still, this was a milestone day for Matty Angell’s young squad and they’ll now be looking to bounce back in their league game at home to Ardley United on Saturday.

Thanks to Christian Preedy for these excellent photos from yesterday’s #EmiratesFACup game at @PortisheadTown… pic.twitter.com/gkNSdmfAWT

— Windsor & Eton FC (@WindsorEtonFC) August 3, 2025

Windsor & Eton kicked off their competitive season at Stag Meadow on Tuesday last week when they got the better of Hilltop thanks to goals from Luke Appleton in the 12th minute and last season’s leading scorer Kowalkowski in the 86th minute.

The result sees them in sixth place, while Ardley are the early front runners after they demolished Wallingford & Crowmarsh 5-1 in their opening fixture.

Having claimed the Combined Counties League 1 title last season to complete back-to-back promotions under Angell, the Royalists will be hopeful of being competitive at the top end of the table once again at step 5.