Michael Appleton got his first point as Pompey manager with a draw against Leicester.
A drab first half was followed by a better performance in the second, saptain Norris netted only for ex-blue Nugent to peg us back with a long range equaliser.
Pompey were denied the services of Luke Varney with a sore hamstring, he and Ben Haim were the two changes from last weeks capitulation at Watford, new loanees Thorne and Mattock taking their places.
My day with Pompey got off to an early start, 10 a.m to be precise, Gosport Borough under 7’s had a Pompey experience day, that was a tour of Fratton including a visit to the changing rooms, then a 2 hour training session at Meon Milton school after the obligatary visit to the Pompey shop.
So, sat with 22 eager young boys and girls, plus 15 parents, many of who had never been to Fratton before, we waited for the match, and what a first 45 minutes they had to endure!
The first half was an absolute non-event, not one worthy strike at goal from either side, nor a decnt move to speak of, it was that bad!
The second half was 10 times better, Pompey came out of the blocks, a storming run by Joel Ward down the right ended with Huseklepp almost putting in MUllins, the ball getting stuck underneath his feet.
Then Norris floated a cross right onto Kitson’s head, he headed down and toward the far post, Schmeichel however made a brilliant full stretch save to scramble the ball wide.
Norris was to provide the breakthrough though, he found himself in space and curled for the far corner, the ball taking a handy deflection on the way.
Before the game I had a chat with my eldest boy, we discussed about what would you prefer? Nugent clean through one-on-one, or Nugent lining up from 25 yards, we both agreed on the former, so predictably our old forward should get a 25 yard strike into the bottom corner!
Cries of ‘Leicester suck’ rang out from 22 young voices to amuse the North stand upper, the under 7’s finally having some entertainment.
Pompey almost found the perfect reposte, Norris was again the man, smashing a shot against the bar, the ball came out to the onrushing Ward who saw his follow up shot scrambled clear once more by the impressive Schmeichel.
Pompey seemed to settle for a point after that, Leicester finished the strongest but could find no was past Henderson and the Pompey defence.
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