After a day which started with so much promise, it delivered so little.
Peter Storrie got my spirits up this morning with some frank, honest opinions, then a few liveners in the Connaught added to my optimism, then Pompey took to the field.
Boateng, O’Hara and Ben Haim all made full debuts, Mullins and Hughes slipped off of the radar to make way for them.
Bolton forced the first save of the afternoon, Cohen powering in a header which James did well to keep out.
Pompey were trying to flow though, and a great move down the left came to nothing before Smith tried an overhead which missed the target.
On 12, Matt Taylor found himself clear, but on his right boot he found only his own fans behind the goal, much to the delight of his old admirers.
Bolton were not to be denied for long though, Davies won yet another flick on and Cohen met it with power to beat David James, not the best defending.
Smith found Piquionne with a cracking cross, but his header lacked power and conviction to trouble Jusskelainen.
O’Hara was sending in some good corners, and it was from one of these that Kaboul rose and powered in a solid header to show Freddie how to do it. It was all Pompey now though and Kaboul really should of doubled his tally, another corner found him unmarked, but this time he glanced wide when he really should of scored, Piquionne copying him a minute later.
Pompey were having the lion’s share, but Belhadj got caught in possesion, Davies was fed and Ben Haim slid in to win it back, from my seat he got the ball, but when your luck is out the ref loves to blow his whistle, up steps Taylor and like so many times in a Pompey shirt, the Penalty was dispatched.
Vanden Borre then rode a couple of tackles and smashed a in a shot, it lacked direction however and flew over the bar.
Second Half and Pompey had a big Penalty shout themselves, Smith nipped in to clip away a back pass, and the ‘keeper seemed to take more man than ball, but the Ref deemed one penalty was the issue for today.
O’Hara tried to show off his dead ball prowress, but his shot didn’t quite dip enough, Brown tried his luck from 25 yards, but his shot took a slight deflection and gained height when it looked goal bound.
O’Hara tried to fire home a weak clearance, the ball was blocked out again but only to Boateng, he calmly placed the ball in the bottom corner, Pompey were back in the game and on for a winner.
End to end doesn’t do the game justice, it was more like tennis than football, both teams searching a first win, Piquionne had another headed chance, but once again glanced wide and then it happened.
In the last minute of time, Pompey failed to clear a bobbing ball, Cahill up supporting the attack nodded home and Pompey had shot themselves in the trotters again, another game they felt they should of won, but with only about 3 efforts on target, they showed why they didn’t.
Player Ratings
James
Didn’t seem as dominant as he can
Vanden Borre
Improving
Belhadj
Cost us a goal and showed his lack of discipline near the end.
Ben haim
Looked a little rusty, but unlucky with penalty shout.
Kaboul
Pompeys top scorer, should have 3 now though.
O’Hara
Lively display, is going to be important.
Boateng
Calm finish, showed some good touches, another who needs match time.
Mokoena
One great block at the end. Otherwise I honestly never noticed him, is that a good thing?
Piquionne
Needs a goal badly, getting chances but not finding the target.
Smith
Pompeys best stuff seemed to come through him.
Brown
Not quite as dynamic as his first game, but up for a fight.