please log in to view this image please log in to view this image The visit of Portsmouth to Torquay saw one notable absence from the away side – Patrick Agyemang reportedly strained his wrist during a routine weights session in training on Wednesday and thus was unavailable for the fixture, with Rogers bringing on Harris – Jon-Paul Pittman, who played in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy loss against Wycombe, replaced the youngster on the Pompey bench. Danny Ings had the best chance of the opening 10 minutes, but he was expertly tackled at the last by young centre-back Mehdi Khalis, the youngster tipped for good things at Torquay. Another promising youngster is Portsmouth’s Aidan White, who was involved early on as Padovani’s long range effort from the resulting corner was caught comfortably by Olejnik in the Torquay goal. Portsmouth didn’t have long to wait before their opener, loan striker Danny Ings getting the south coast outfit off to a flyer, thumping home past Olejnik on 14 minutes as Pompey looked to pick up where they left off against Morecambe the previous week. Moments after the restart, Portsmouth came on the attack again, with the Torquay stopper having to be at his best to deny Harris, tipping the ball inches over the bar with his outstretched glove. Pompey continued pressing throughout the first half, with Romain Padovani unlucky not to score with a crashing drive from 18 yards that whistled just over the Torquay crossbar. Minutes later, that same crossbar was rattled by the lively looking White, after a good passage of play involving the Portsmouth front two. Such was Portsmouth’s superiority in the game that the home side didn’t actually register an effort on goal until the 38th minute; Khalis heading over the bar to sarcastic cheers from both the home and away supporters. The rare attack pushed Torquay forwards however, and they nearly equalised in the most incredible of fashion, with Nicholson hitting the post with a sublime freekick from a full 30 yards that hit the inside of Simon Eastwood’s post as the keeper was beaten all ends up by the effort, which proved to be the final action of a relatively one sided first half of football. If the first half was all Portsmouth, the second was anything but, with the game becoming a turgid affair. Britt Assombalonga went close on 58 minutes with a header in the first real opportunity of the second half. Rogers shook things up by bringing on last week’s scorer Kilbey, and he brought about greater width for Pompey, with scorer Ings shooting just wide of Olejnik’s left hand post. The game turned sour for Portsmouth with a second yellow card for defender Tamas Kádár which incensed the Pompey team as it appeared Joe Oastler took a dive under a challenge from the Hungarian – Lee Probert earning himself new friends in Devon with his decision. Rogers opted to attempt to see the game out for a second successive 1-0 victory, bringing Webster on for Danny Ings as Torquay pushed onto the offensive. Billy Bodin then went close for the home side after being played in by Oastler, who was roundly booed by the Portsmouth support. Assombalonga stung the palms of Eastwood with a rasping drive just before Pompey should’ve put the game to bed – Ashley Harris being played through by Wallace, although the striker could only clip his shot wide of the post. There was yet more controversy late on, as Torquay felt incensed by Probert’s decision not to award a penalty for what looked like a foul by Pompey captain Johnny Ertl in the area, although the referee only game a corner for the home side. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Portsmouth sealed the game late on courtesy of a Matt Thornhill poke after a Kilbey cross, to leave Pompey able to coast home comfortably. Portsmouth played well, and Rogers will be pleased with a fifth straight league win, although the game will be overshadowed by two very controversial refereeing decisions by Lee Probert, which could have legitimately changed the course of the game.
A disappointing attendance. I think when the real-life match takes place, Plainmoor's 6,145 capacity will be under threat!
Been there a few times, meowth. Situated in Babbacombe - which is very nice when you get near to the sea, but the town itself is pretty dire. Lovely little ground though
Having gone out in the first round of the virtual Capital One Cup and PaintPot, I'm hoping for a good FA Cup run
Great stuff, hope we are at the top with you.. good luck next season.. let battle commence... all the best
My apologies - have just moved house and I haven't had internet for a couple of weeks! I'll be back up to speed as soon as I can be
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Portsmouth boss Olly Rogers was forced into a few changes through injury and suspension as his side looked to continue their blistering start to the season, having won their last 5 league games without conceding a goal; Dan Butler and Jon-Paul Pittman coming in for Tamás Kádár and Patrick Agyemang respectively. Captain Johnny Ertl was also among the benchwarmers, after looking jaded in the warm up. Despite the stats making Pompey the clear favourites, it was the visiting side that took the early initiative, with Portsmouth stopper Simon Eastwood getting down low to deny Joe Thompson early on. Jon-Paul Pittman made a rare start for Portsmouth owing to the absence of Agyemang, and he almost capitalised on this, yet his 18 yard strike fizzed agonisingly past the post. Rochdale impressed with their width and range of passing, as Pompey struggled to cope with the 4 pronged attack. This time, there was little Simon Eastwood could do to resist as Thompson finished with aplomb to send the away fans into raptures in Fratton Park. Portsmouthâs disadvantage lasted only until 25 minutes however, as a dangerous Scott Wagstaff corner was forced goalwards by Pittman, whilst defender Shaun Cooper was on hand to prod home the loose ball for the equalising goal, and his first in Pompey colours. What followed can only be described as a moment of madness by assistant referee Charles Breakspear, not raising his flag for a clear offside against Ashley Grimes as the ball was played through â however Eastwood spared the hapless linesmanâs blushes by making a sublime point blank save, diverting the ball onto the post and clear of danger, with Butler hoofing the rebound far away from danger. Pompey remained tentative all through the first half, and in many ways looked relieved to hear the half time whistle, with Rochdale looking the superior side of the first half. The home side came out rejuvenated after the break however, with their managerâs team talk still ringing in their ears, and very nearly had a blinding start to the second half, with the unusually quiet Danny Ings almost being in the right place to finish another almighty scramble in the Dale box, Jake Kean pouncing at the last moment to foil the on loan striker. Portsmouth did break through again to take the lead just 6 minutes after the break, with Rochdale captain Gary Jones diverting the ball past his own keeper for the unluckiest of goals for the midfielder, just ahead of an advancing Kilbey. However, the wheel of fortune rolled once more, as Matt Thornhillâs foul gave Rochdale the opportunity once more from a Kennedy free kick, which was finished well into Eastwoodâs top corner to level the scores once more, forcing Rogers to play his trump card, throwing Harris and Padovani into the fray for the final half hour. The goal did take the edge off the match a little, with both teams seemingly accepting a draw as a fair result as the game entered the closing stages. Jed Wallace forced a good save out of Kean on 72 minutes as the game became more and more bit-part. The only real action of the closing stages was a Kennedy header clearing Eastwoodâs bar with Pompey temporarily down to 10 men, with both managers probably accepting that a draw was a fair result against 2 evenly matched teams. Pompeyâs winning streak over, however the unbeaten run has stretched to 6 games now, with another home game against Macclesfield on Saturday for Rogersâ boys to contend with.
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Macclesfield provided the opposition for Portsmouth’s second match at Fratton Park in the space of 3 days, with the away side lining up in an unconventional 3-3-2-1-1 formation, preferring to pack the defensive area against the team with the best goal difference in the league. High flying Pompey preferred striker Jon-Paul Pittman to Patrick Agyemang, still recovering from the strained wrist he suffered in training 12 days prior. Pompey captain Johnny Ertl returned to the side after being rested for the midweek 2-2 draw against Rochdale, and the veteran looked lively early on, producing a fine pass to Pittman, however the latter was marginally offside. Scrambles in the opposition box are proving to be a recurring theme of Portsmouth attacks, and the cycle continued here from a Pittman corner, however neither Ashley Harris nor Sonny Bradley could divert the ball into the net as Pompey set up camp in the Macclesfield half early on. Pompey looked good value for their pole position in League 2 early on, enjoying near total dominance on the pitch, however they just couldn’t find the killer touch; Sonny Bradley again going close form a corner kick on the 20 minute mark. When they did break through the away defence, José Veiga was impressive in goal, saving comfortably Pittman’s goalbound effort after good work by Tom Kilbey to find the frontman. The goal finally did come just after the half hour mark, with Jed Wallace rifling home his first of the season from around the penalty spot after Scott Wagstaff’s corner was only partially cleared; the goal being a fine reward for an extended spell of dominance by Pompey. Just minutes later Portsmouth almost had their second, however Bradley’s towering header grazed agonisingly off the crossbar and out to safety above the Macclesfield net. Portsmouth took their deserved lead into half time, as Padovani rounded off the half by stinging the palms of Veiga, who did well to parry away the Frenchman’s 25 yard piledriver in the last action of a productive Pompey first half. The second half started off much in the same vein as the first, as Pompey looked to improve upon their lead in the game; Wagstaff again going close to Veiga’s goal, popping his effort just wide of the upright on the far side of goal. The ebb and flow of the game was helped by the performance of referee Mike Dean, although his patience was tested by Sonny Bradley, who picked up a yellow card after a string of unnecessary fouls in the Portsmouth half. Macclesfield did finally manage to muster a shot on goal, and it was worth the wait for the spectators, substitute Matt Hamshaw striking a sublime 30 yard volley just wide of Eastwood’s goal – had that effort have found the net it would have been a very serious contender for goal of the season, and both the Pompey and Macclesfield fans sounded their appreciation for the effort. Despite the lack of goals, the home side definitely put in a good shift with a very assured, confident performance – and there was just enough time left at the end for both Wagstaff and Padovani to go close once more, whilst substitute striker Danny Ings should have done better when put through by strike partner Harris, however his effort was blocked well by Liam Marrs. The distinct lack of goals was the only worry here today, as Pompey look forward to the upcoming weeks from a dominant position, top of the league as they approach the 10th game of the season.
please log in to view this image 20th September 2013 Portsmouth's chairman Iain McInnes has come out to hail the excellent start made by the squad to their nPower League 2 campaign. Olly Rogers' side currently sits proudly atop the table after a blistering start that has seen them lose only one game - 3-2 at home to Scunthorpe - and win 6 of their opening 9 fixtures; and the chairman believes there is nothing to stop the club from extending their current unbeaten run. "It's been a great start, there's no denying it, the team have really bonded well in the opening games. If you look at the fixtures we've got coming up we should be picking up a good amount of points for the run into Christmas." Defender Shaun Cooper has been a pivotal force in Portsmouth's good run, scoring once in his 8 appearances thus far for Portsmouth, and the defender was rewarded for his hard work by winning a place in the nPower League 2 Team of the Week for his impressive performance against Rochdale in the midweek fixture.
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image The familiar strike partnership of Ings and Agyemang returned for the clash against Burton Albion for Portsmouth, however the home side began with a touch of the unfamiliar, new signing Robbie Winters taking his place at the head of the Burton attack. The match began in a tentative fashion, as both teams dug in and tried to fashion chances which were few and far between; Johnny Ertl spurning the best chance of the opening exchanges with a speculative curling effort that flew just over Ross Atkinsâ crossbar. Burton got their first chance to see their new man not long after, as Winters chipped an ambitious lob just the wrong side of Simon Eastwoodâs post with the Pompey stopper beaten all ends up. Despite their recent successes, Portsmouth just couldnât get going in a largely disappointing first half for both teams, as Cleveland Taylor wasted a rare Burton opportunity on the stroke of half time. Half time brought about a change for Pompey, as Rogers removed captain Ertl from the field, replacing him with Romain Padovani, with the Portsmouth manager clearly hoping that the Frenchmanâs creative influence could spark the match into life. The second half began much as the first half ended up, with the misfiring Taylor again shooting wide after being fed by Jacques Maghoma just shy of the penalty spot. Portsmouth rallied round however, and got their unlikely reward just after the hour mark; Patrick Agyemang, fresh from a 3 match layoff due to injury, pounced on a defensive error to slot the ball past Atkins to relieve the tension in the away supporters. The goal pushed Burton to up their game immediately, as with only 3 minutes since the goal Maghoma fizzed in an effort from just outside the box that had Eastwood scrambling. Luckily for the Pompey keeper the ball flew inches over his crossbar, however the chance was a signal of intent for Burton, who looked stronger after falling behind. Burton continued their push for an equaliser as the game entered its final phase, however Winters couldnât get the better of Eastwood from a tight angle before Dany East cleared just ahead of the hapless Taylor. Portsmouthâs best threat was from set pieces, yet Cooper could only find the fans behind the goal with a towering header from a Wagstaff corner late on. With time running out, Portsmouth sealed their less than impressive victory with a second goal for Agyemang. The striker simply couldnât miss after being played in by Wagstaff, and his close range finish was enough to put the game to bed and leave Pompey mathematically certain to be top after 10 games. Despite the quality of the performance lacking in many areas, Pompey will be delighted with the start they have made to the season, with the recent ground out results showing their intent to have a strong first season as a community owned club.
please log in to view this image 25th September 2013 Portsmouth's Tamás Kádár today surprised many at the club by openly criticising manager Olly Rogers' team talk in the recent 2-0 win over Burton Albion. It is thought that the Hungarian defender took exception to Rogers' remarks that the team hadn't performed as well as they could, and would have to step up their game against better opposition in the future. The player was backed by fellow defender Shaun Cooper, who also felt aggrieved to be on the receiving end of such a backlash after what he considered to be a good performance. Rogers was unavailable for comment.
