Oxford United 0
Pompey 0
Pompey were tonight held to a 0-0 draw against former Boss Jim Smith`s Conference side Oxford United, thanks in no small part to their Goalkeeper Billy Turley who pulled off some decent saves.
More importantly for Pompey though was the injury to Lomana LuaLua that saw him substituted on 33 minutes with an ankle problem. First thoughts were it could be ankle ligament damage, but this would be mere speculation. One thing that is for sure he`ll face a race against time to be fit for Blackburn on August 19th.
Dean Kiely was forced to make the games first save keeping out a tame effort from Robert Duffy, brother of Pompey`s Welsh International Richard.
Former Pompey player Matt Day was forced to cut out Noe Pamarot`s dangerous looking cross as Matty Taylor looked to get on the end of it.
On 33 minutes LuaLua picked up his injury as he attempted to score from another dangerous cross, this time from Taylor. He could only find the side netting as he collided with Turley. He would then limp off the field to be replaced by Frank Songo`o.
Shortly after the LuaLua injury Turley had to be alert, quickly rushing out of goal to prevent Sveotslav Todorov possibly putting Pompey one up.
Richard Hughes had the next Pompey chance but his volley, following a one-two with Andy O`Brien was off the target, sailing over the bar.
Songo`o, who seemed to be quite involved in the game for a period created the first real opening of the second half, his right wing cross headed over by Taylor. Dejan Stefanovic then narrowly missed the target, just sending his headed effort over from another Songo`o cross from the right.
Another move would involve Songo`o who combined well with Todorov to create another chance for Taylor but Turley again saved his effort.
With little overall created by Oxford a good save was needed by Kiely on 81 minutes to deny Gavin Johnson following a good run down the left.
Pompey`s final chance of the game fell to Todorov from a Taylor pass but he was unable to get his effort on target.
The match marked a debut for free transfer signing David Thompson, who lasted 67 minutes and was also watched by Juan Vargas as his proposed switch to Fratton Park nears a conclusion.
The main worry though will be the injury to LuaLua and how serious it will actually be. Only time will tell but until we know all we can do is keep our fingers crossed. This will increase Pompey`s need for more striking options. Preston`s David Nugent and Nigerian Kanu are a couple of names reported linked with the club in recent times.
Dean Kiely
Noe Pamarot
Linvoy Primus
Andy O’Brien
Dejan Stefanovic
David Thompson (Marc Wilson 67)
Sean Davis
Richard Hughes
Matty Taylor
Lomana Lualua (Frank Songo’o 33)
Svetoslav Todorov
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