Match Reports

Pompey off the mark!

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Pompey got three points on the board for the first time this season, the ref will hosg the headlines no doubt, but Pompey fired in 3 goals against the nine men, and after our run of luck, who cares how gutted Crawley are!!

Pompey made the shortish 60 mile trip to West Sussex for a first visit to Crawley, the midweek win had bouyed the troops and the team were roared on by nearly half the 5,000 crowd.

Crawley dominated the early proceedings, hogging possesion although Pompey were to find the net only for Rodgers to be rightly flagged offside.

Gabor Gyepes was making his debut and looked like the steady head at the back we were crying out for, his debut became a nightmare after 40 minutes however as he limped off with suspected ankle ligament damage.

The first half was scrappy to say the least, Pompey were regularly caught offside and Crawley found few chances.

Just before half-time the game was turned upside down, Simpson who had just been booked was adjudged to have bought down McLeod, the second yellow was waved and even to this biased fan, the red seemed harsh with McLeod going down easily.

Half time arrived and Pompey suddenly had a great chance to record a first win, Compton forcing a fine tip over from Paul Jones.

Pompey were predictably now dominating possesion, although Crawley still looked dangerous on the counter.

On 71 minutes Crawley went down to 9, this time Akpan walked, his second yellow was deserved mind, again clipping McLeod as he raced away.

The extra men advantage told only minutes later, Ashley Harris who had only just come on stole in at the far post to meet fellow apprentice Webster’s lovely cross, he headed down into the net and Pompey were on their way.

Controversy then led to our second goal, Crawley felt that Howard should of seen a second yellow after tangling with Bulman, Pompey broke and earned a free kick on the edge of the Crawley box, this was to prove vital, so often Pompey have wasted such opportunities, Rodgers though curled beautifully into the top corner with Jones a spectator.

The goals were not finished though, Harris won possesion and fed McLeod, he rounded Jones and the win was was complete, Pompey are off and running and things look brighter!

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Easy on the eye