Pompey’s Carling Cup adventure started, and ended, in disappointing fashion as we flopped at Fratton against our league two opponents.
Losing 1-0 in front of a little under 4,500.
One small bonus for Pompey was the return of Liam Lawrence, he showed no ill effects from his latest setback and was able to make his first start of the infant season.
Pompey had the best of the game for the first 10 minutes, after that it went horribly wrong, Barnet on the day were the better side, more up for it and more lively, Pompey rarely lifted above mediocre, as has been stated elsewhere though, the defeat at least highlighted the lack of numbers in the Pompey squad. The bench had only 3 on it, one a goalkeeper, that was even worse than last season!
Barnet were full of movement and energy, making a mockery of their near miss with relegation from the league last term, Pompey on the other hand were flat and lacking in ideas and what seemed passing ability.
The goal came in the first half, Hughes nodding home easily on the half hour, Pompey’s defence all at sea as he rose unmarked.
You would of thought this would of been the shock Pompey needed to get their game going, in fact Barnet very nearly doubled the lead, this time Price was allowed a free header, only the linesmans flag sparing Pompey’s blushes.
Pompey improved after the break but created little in the way of goal chances, Henderson had a mixed debut to be fair, he made a couple of great one-on one saves, however his ability to come for crosses will bring back memories of some of David James’ worst decisions.
So one cup game played and the next one won’t be until January now in the FA cup, there is always the old chesnut of “we can concentrate on the league now”!
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