Fleetwood v Pompey
20th January 2024
A DAY OUT BY THE SEA
Well, I'm not The Bard nor the eloquent
Chairman or The Old Sage, but after some trips to Northern Stadia
I've been asked to put pen to paper as a result of a day trip to
Fleetwood, to see the (still) mighty Blue Army.
Those of you who don't know me, I've been
living in County Durham for the last 5 years(moved up from the South
Island) , and have had the opportunity, or misfortune some may say,
of seeing PFC at stadium such as the Stadium of Light. The past week
had seen a drop in temperatures to - 7,lots of rain and in view of
Portsmouth FC almost guaranteed annual Xmas slump (if that's
not too harsh) still handing out gifts way into January, a rather
increasing worry that playing the league 1s bottom team was a banana
skin in waiting, It certainly didn't help that those lucky charms
who had gone to previous Pompey games with me were falling by the
wayside. Did they know something? My wife, who doesn't like
football, declined on the basis that it was cold(she's only been to
1 game before away to Harrogate, November 2019, in the Cup on a very
cold snowy evening which eventually kicked off at 9pm;we won
2-1though).A family cousin,( Newcastle supporter) who was with me at
Fleetwood in November 2019(we won 5-2) said he had a dodgy
stomach.Enough said. There was only Reliable Dave(Pompey born and
bred) to call on(previously seen at Morecambe, November 2022 in a
poor 1-1 draw). Supporters of PFC are thin on the ground up North.
Saturday came round with Dave and I
on our way. Time for a heavy, warm coat, and flat cap(yes, I've now
got 1).However, going to the game at Highbury Stadium(I'll be
interested to hear why they have an Arsenal emphasis at the club
what with an almost identical kit to the Gooners), was a trip both
Dave and I were apprehensive about; they'd managed to draw at
Fratton not long ago. On arrival, omens seem to change. The overcast
skies were still there from the 2018 Xmas time visit, and as last
time 2 of us turned up as Lucketts coach with PFC on board was
arriving. Phew,had things turned?
First thing was to buy a programme. No
such luck as they no longer have them printed as not enough demand
apparently, due to crowd sizes (a sad reflection of some lower
league football crowds) OK, let's head to the Club bar, said Dave.
We find ourselves in Jim's Sports Bar listening to an MC trying to
whip up the local support by playing Maria, Electric Dreams and
Sweet Caroline. Their mascot Captain Cod was there doing his best
whilst everyone was watching the real Arsenal clipping the Eagles
wings on Sky TV. As we were thirsty and hungry we partook in pie,
chips and coffee £6,bargain. I'll come back to the pie later.
The team is announced and I'm told PFC
are in a new formation of 3-5-2. Was this a winning change of
direction from JM?
Well 3pm arrives and the Blues are
playing a lot of possession football in the back 3, with the odd
probe down the right wing trying to get Abu Kamara and Magic Hat in
the game. Raggett and Shaughnessy looked really comfy on the ball,
almost Beckenbaueresque. Mind you no Fleetwood player was within 15
yards and the bus had already been parked by them. Suddenly a big
cheer from the Pompey fans, ;their No.3 had the misfortune of
stopping a strongly weighted pass full on in the face. I can see him
still shaking his head. The ground was already a library with Pompey
fans asking "Shall we sing a song for you? " when Kamara took a Pack
pass really well, turned past a couple of defenders and curled a
shot into the left side of the net. 1-0. The chants had now changed
to "Going down, going down", still no home vocals. It seems they'd
done their singing before the game.
Pompey looked comfy, with some decent,
quick distribution from Norris,from which we nearly had a 2nd after
intricate passing ended with a deflected Bishop shot.Oh for that 2nd
goal, to ease the nerves. One thing that wasn't happening was decent
delivery from corners.. back to the training ground on that. Nearing
half time Morrell picked up a yellow for the team, tightrope time
for him. The resulting free kick for Fleetwood was their 1st chance
on goal.
Half time arrived and the feeling was we
were in control and comfortable but needed that 2nd. The half hadn't
been too physical but there'd been a handful of cards.
Half time was spent out of the wind and
cold under the main stand trying to get a hot drink. What no Bovril.
The 2nd half had already started as we got back into our seats only
to see an unreal deflection from their No. 10 almost sneak in.
Minutes passed with them showing more effort and PFC looking like
the team who were bottom of the league. We were still,
metaphorically, in the dressing room.
Our manager must have woken up to Morrell
(red card in waiting) and his potential falabilities as he trudged
off to be replaced by Saydee, who a bit later was involved in
intricate passing that resulted in Bishop shooting at the goalie
from 6 yards when he should have scored. This move was like Arsenal
trying to walk the ball in, as per Wenger years.
As the game progressed they were coming
out of their shell, with their No. 5 trying to run the game. A
strong guy, who couldn't shoot on target for toffee. Memories of
Nigel Quashie (for those that can remember) flooded back for me.
Suddenly though we were on the back foot, Norris was trying to waste
time and this was resulting in their No. 9 trying to do a George
Best v Gordon Banks on him (Google it). When we did get on the
attack, sadly our corners were still proving inept; overhit or
couldn't beat the 1st defender.
Pompey fans we're now getting more
anxious as PFC couldn't get their foot on the ball. There were even
times when Kenny Jackett Hoof Ball surfaced.
Oh oh, trouble.. Fleetwood break quickly
and Shaughnessy gets a yellow to stop a potential chance. 80 minutes
gone and our MOTM, Kamara is replaced by Sparks who immediately adds
an outlet on the left wing, working well with Saydee. Another 2
corners wasted. Where's that training manual. Some wag in the stands
says we've a new formation now, with a flat back 8.Into the last 5
minutes and on another day Heneghan, their no. 16, would have seen
red. He stays on the pitch, despite fans questioning the referee.
Into added time and we start to play like European masters of keep
ball, staying by the corner flag. Hooray, the finishing line is in
sight and as the whistle goes fans breath a sigh of relief. A hard
fought victory, we're top of the league and some results have gone
our way. Choruses of EIEIEIO, up the football league we go ring out
as the players soak up the applause and fans. Phew.
The relatively short drive of 2 hours
back home(a benefit of living in the North, if I can say that), was
one of feeling we dodged a bullet today and plans are afoot to visit
another away game in the cold, to maintain this unbeaten run I've
seen. Carlisle, closest to me, is out as I'll be celebrating my
birthday, so it'll have to be Bolton, where it's hoped we'll already
be promoted. I hope to see fellow IOWPSC members there. Finally,
that pie again. Wow, a memory for all the wrong reasons.. Potato and
Meat. I should have given it a wide berth, 10% beef (the label said)
and that's generous and they charged £4. Strong likelihood I won't
be back next season though.
Play up Pompey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Northampton v Pompey
2nd December 2023
Of we went on the 8am ferry
a little worried about the fog and the lack of a goal scorer, but it
was an easy drive up to Bicester for a late breakfast and then on to
Northampton tgi next to the ground for liquid refreshment.
It was bloody cold but we
soon warmed up with Raggett powering in a header and we should have
had several more before Lane scored either side of half time.
Outstanding performance from
Robertson and in general a fine team performance all-round. We even
made the 8pm ferry home.
Roll on Monday week for the
big one!!
Pup
Sky blue
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Burton v Pompey
Headed of on the mid day
ferry not quite sure what to expect tonight after a heavy loss and
Morrell out.
A lack lustre first half
with Sparks again having a hard time at full back,although we could
have had two more pens before Bishop fired home the third
shout,before limping off at half time giving us another injury we
could well do without.
Second half plus ten we
looked much better and with pack being a minder for Robertson he
shone through as easily are best player and he and the team got a
deserved second.
Looked far more solid in the
midfield with Pack & Saydee, Kamara getting better all the time.
Back to Burton wetherspoons
and a gentle drive home for the 3am ferry home.
The things we do for Pompey
eh!!