please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Youngster Dan Butler came in for a rare start at left back as Rogers shuffled his defensive line for the trip up to Bradford, following the bruised rib suffered by Pompey skipper Johnny Ertl, which has forced the dynamic defender to miss out on this clash. The responsibility of captaincy for this game fell to defender Yassin Moutaouakil, who has been a steady force in the Portsmouth backline in their successful start to the campaign. Despite the away side’s inability to win from anywhere, the loss of Ertl showed for Portsmouth, who conceded a penalty within the first few minutes of the game via an Adam Wesbter challenge on Jamie Devitt – the youngster having no complaints as Phil Dowd pointed to the spot; Craig ***an stepping up to net an unlikely opener for the hosts. Inspired by their early advantage, Bradford pressed on and gained a foothold in the game, forcing Pompey to defend throughout the opening exchanges, with Kyel Reid forcing Eastwood into action again with a shot from just outside the box on 15 minutes. Portsmouth’s solid start to the season looked in jeopardy as they struggled to find any kind of grip on the match. Ashley Harris had their first meaningful attempt on target after 20 minutes, but his header from a placed Jed Wallace cross did little to trouble the Bradford keeper. However, this effort did seem to spur on Pompey, as leading scorer Patrick Agyemang collected an Ashley Harris through ball and sent an effort just wide of the upright, signalling his intent to leave his mark on the tie. Pompey’s attacks at one end left their defence open at the other end, and Bradford almost capitalised following a good interplay between Reid and the penalty winner Devitt; the latter leaving a lot to be desired in his finishing, however, as he rolled a tame effort into the gloves of Eastwood just past the half hour. There was more cause for concern for Portsmouth moments later, as a reckless lunge by Craig ***an on left back Dan Butler left the youngster on the floor in agony, and earned the Bradford goalscorer a yellow card for his troubles, with Rogers opting to substitute the hurt player for Hungarian Tamás Kádár on 36 minutes. Just one more chance before half time for Pompey; Agyemang was unlucky to see his header fly over the crossbar just before the whistle was blown. If the first half was a veritable action fest, the second period began as anything but. Kyel Reid had the first real chance of a dull period on 65 minutes, however his speculative volley flew well wide of the upright. Indeed, such was the drab level of entertainment that both sets of fans united in a ‘Mexican wave’ around the Valley Parade. However, moments later the match was brought into life – but for the wrong reasons, as the antagonist ***an received his marching orders for a cynical foul on Adam Wesbter, and was roundly booed by the travelling faithful as he left the field of play. Pompey made their advantage count, as Rogers brought on proven scorer Danny Ings for Harris, and the striker made an instant impact, feeding Tom Kilbey to poke the ball past the hapless Duke just after 70 minutes; the youngster clearly delighted with his goal. Ings’ introduction to the game had the effect of introducing a cat to a loft of pigeons, as the striker put the Bradford defence at sixes and sevens – Rui Marques having to clear a dangerous cross just in front of the waiting Agyemang. Pompey almost completed the comeback 13 minutes from time, as Patrick Agyemang raced through on goal, but his effort was expertly saved by the feet of Matt Duke in the Bradford goal. Nonetheless, the striker was not to be deterred, and just minutes later he atoned for his earlier miss by superbly finishing a solo effort past Duke, after rounding 3 players in a mazy run to send the travelling support into raptures. Buoyed by this confidence boost, Portsmouth rallied round again, and late substitute Marlon Pack was unlucky not to add his name to the scoresheet, hitting the post with a curling effort from just within the 18 yard box. This proved to be the last real action of a pulsating tie, as Rogers will have to be delighted with the wonderful impact Ings had on the game, as well as his team having the confidence and the wherewithal to strike back after the woeful first half display. 9 unbeaten now for Pompey, as their League 2 surge continues to gather momentum.
I can field that one! I started this game on the 11th of May - 7 days before the playoff final. I wasn't sure who would go up between Bradford and Northampton so I picked the highest placed team still in the playoffs (in this case Northampton) to put in League 1 in the editor. It's really diddled Bradford as they're currently bottom of the league with 2 points on the game (sorry lads!)
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Captain Johnny Ertl missed out on a second fixture after his bruised rib, so Portsmouth manager Olly Rogers once more opted for Yassin Moutaouakil at right back. Danny Ings provided the main force behind Pompey’s late comeback last time out at Bradford, and has been rewarded for his exploits with a starting position, relegating youngster Ashley Harris to left back. Tamás Kádár retained his place in the side after earning his second international cap for Hungray against Moldova midweek. The match began with the fast pace a top-of-the-table clash should, with Hartlepool content to soak up the Portsmouth pressure and counter using the wings, however it was Pompey who drew first blood, and there were no prizes for guessing who had the decisive touch, as the man of the hour Danny Ings struck on 15 minutes to hand the early advantage to the league leaders. Things weren’t all rosy for Pompey early on, however, as talismanic midfielder Scott Wagstaff found himself on the receiving end of a hefty challenge from Neil Austin which spelt the end for the former’s game. Despite their control over the game, Portsmouth were struggling to get shots away through Hartlepool’s packed defence, and the away side capitalised on this just before the break, as James Brown was allowed space to turn inside the home sides’ box and rifle a shot past the sprawling Simon Eastwood. The second half began well for Portsmouth, with the team combining well and performing some slick passing moves between them early on; Hartlepool’s veteran midfielder Paul Murray almost conceding a howler, heading the ball just over his own crossbar. However it was Hartlepool who came up trumps early on, as a debatable foul by Sonny Bradley in the Portsmouth box was given by Lee Probert, to concede Portsmouth’s second penalty in the same amount of games. Just like the one against Bradford, the penalty was expertly finished, as young Daniel Johnson got himself on the scoresheet for ‘Pool. Pompey almost hit back immediately, as the recovering Danny Ings placed a snapshot wide of Scott Flinders’ far post, before referee Probert brought play back for a foul by Stephen Wright; the latter finding his way into the referee’s book as a result. Portsmouth’s charge for a draw was all but ended on 78 minutes, as their fourth injury of the game forced Rogers to withdraw Tom Kilbey from the field, with Danny Ings still shaking off a knock up front, having used all three substitutes earlier in the game. In truth, the last 10 minutes (plus 6 added time) became a damage limitation exercise for the home side, who had to endure waves of Hartlepool attacks, however Ings did almost break away late on, but he was foiled by the calm, collected Scott Flinders once more. On another day, Pompey could have done more to win this game, however the real task now belongs to club physio Paul New, who has seen his injury list substantially increase in size.
The natural order has been restored. Saints in the top division, jealous, bitter Skates looking up in envy.
You mean the same Eastwood who seemed to be magnetically attracted to the goal line and unable to move from it?
