27/09/2011 Portsmouth 2-3 Peterborough United: We Can't See You Anymore!

Notes
There will be plenty of Pompey fans who will use this defeat against Peterborough United as another stick with which to beat Steve Cotterill and his tactics.

They'd be wrong to do so.

Sure, losing is disappointing, especially late on in a game. I hate losing and I hated this result. However, Pompey played well in this game, especially in the second half, and this defeat had more to do with individual errors, Peterborough's ability to capitalise on them as well as the power and pace they demonstrated when getting forward on the break.

The opening goal came after Jamie Ashdown failed to deal with a fierce shot from Lee Frecklington. Placing both hands in front of him the ball bounced off his gloves and up on to the crossbar before nestling in the net. He should have done better...it wasn't even foggy in the first five minutes.

Frecklington's second goal, a powerful shot, came about because of a defensive error and an inability to clear the ball away from the dangerzone. Ashdown had no chance with the second.

Frecklington's goals came either side of an own goal, Gabriel Zakuani putting the ball in to his own net at the Fratton End following a cross by Erik Huseklepp. The Norwegian claimed it and celebrated, the tannoy announcer declared the goal his, only to withdraw the statement and declare it an own goal at half time. I guess some people were done out some betting winnings as a result. The ball was clearly going wide though before being deflected in to the net.

Ashdown made two other errors during the first half. The first came when he was unable to hold on to a powerful shot from the impressive George Boyd, the ball was spilled and fell to a Peterborough player who was unable to capitalise. The second error came when Ashdown mis-calculated the weight of a pass out of the penalty area. The intention was to pass to a defender but he underhit it giving away possession. There was a noticeable drop of the shoulders at this point, a "What have I done?" moment. Fortunately, the away team could not capitalise.

Ashdown wasn't the only Pompey player playing below par. Joel Ward, playing at right back in place of the injured Aaron Mokoena was getting forward but his crosses were often of poor quality, being hit too long. His surges forward also left the defence exposed at times, especially if he lost the ball, which Peterborough were able to exploit. Right back is his best position but he must balance his eagerness to get forward with his defensive duties until he has settled down in to the role. This was only his second start at right back this season. Once he's played there regularly things will improve. He's a powerful player with a big engine, he will get it right and he started to do so in the second half.

It was an open first half and Pompey had a number of opportunities to add to their tally but couldn't do so. Norris and Huseklepp in particular had good chances, the Norwegian lifted a shot over the cross bar just before half time when it looked easier to hit the target.

HT: Portsmouth 1-2 Peterborough United

As the mist rolled in off the sea and engulfed Fratton Park, at one point during the the second half making visibility poor, there were some ironic chants from the Fratton End faitful of "We can't see you anymore!". Definitely the best chant since "You only sing when you're farming!" at Ashton Gate.

Pompey looked the more likely to score in the second half and go on and win the game. Mullins, Lawrence, Huseklepp and Norris were working together very well in the midfield. It was Liam Lawrence's best game this season. Hayden Mullins was running the midfield and David Norris was getting forward at every opportunity. With both Joel Ward, down the right, and Tal Ben Haim, down the left, able to get forward regularly to supply balls in to the box it was only a matter of time before Pompey got their equaliser.

It came following a cross by Huseklepp who found Benjani in the penalty box. He got ahead of his marker and clipped the ball past the keeper and in to the net with his right foot. He celebrated with the Pompey fans sitting in the Milton End with his now trademark goal celebration: "That one was for you, you and you!"

With plenty of time left in the game, the home fans' expectations were raised accordingly and Pompey had a period where they looked very strong. They were just unable to get the third goal. There was one very exciting period of play where a series of four shots in rapid succession pinged around in the penalty box but were blocked by defenders, including off the goal line to deny the home team.

Peterborough had always looked at their most dangerous on the break and it was no surprise that their winning goal came about that way. With Pompey players rushing forward to support a corner for the winner in added time the defence was left exposed. With Marko Futacs on the pitch, making his home debut, what harm could it do to get the ball in to the box? He is a big unit and would surely have a great opportunity to score. The alternative of closing the game out, playing it short and taking the point never crossed anyone's mind in the stadium.

It's so easy to get carried away with the moment.

Unfortunately, for Pompey the corner was quickly cleared and Peterborough unleashed 18 year old Ryan Tunnicliffe on loan from none other than Manchester United. Look out for him, he's some player. As soon as he'd been brought on as substitute Cotterill had reminded his players about him - they'd obviously done some homework, but perhaps that wasn't enough. His powerful run down the left hand side wasn't dealt with by a tiring defence, he crossed low and hard in to the penalty box where the ball was turned in to the net by the onrushing Huseklepp. If he hadn't got there then the attacker behind him surely would have done. It was a killer blow, 94th minute, Erik hitting the back of the net in front of the Fratton End. Dejavu? You bet.

Whereas on Saturday against Blackpool there had been elation now there was despair. It was hard to take - having played so well and to get nothing from the game was galling. But that's football, it's full of irony, full of twists and turns and Pompey will surely bounce back from this defeat very quickly. They certainly showed enough on the night to make those shaking the sticks seem out of touch. Afterall, it could be worse: we could all support Nottingham Forest who at this point of the season could not have envisgaed being where they are.

FT: Portsmouth 2-3 Peterborough United

Some Blurry Match Action Pictures And One Or Two Of The Fog

The mist rolls in over the Milton End

Tal Ben Haim and Jason Pearce get set to defend.

The mist turned to fog in the second half. Here is the view of the Fratton End, you can just make out Jamie Ashdown in the goal and Greg Halford in the foreground.

The next three pictures are just a little bit blurry, but I quite like them anyway, especially the second one! Something different, eh?! They're almost arty!

Portsmouth versus Peterborough United: Jamie Ashdown, Joel Ward, Greg Halford, Jason Pearce, Tal Ben Haim, Liam Lawrence, Hayden Mullins, David Norris, Riise, Erik Huseklepp, Benjani. Substitutes: Stephen Henderson, Ricardo Rocha, Kanu, Marko Futacs, Ryan Williams.

Attendance: 12,102 this is a worrying figure - the lowest League crowd at home since February 2001. Admittedly there was a low turnout from the away fans with about 75% of one Milton End block of seats taken up. However, not enough Pompey fans are turning out to see their team. Match ticket prices are a hot issue at present - it's an expensive business in tough economic times - but there is clearly some disillusionment in the football being played translating into 'stay away' fans.

Pompey MOTM: the official award went to Erik Huseklepp. However, I would have given it to Hayden Mullins.

Next up for Pompey: Leeds United away at Elland Road on Saturday October 1st, kick-off 3PM.

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Pompey's 2011-12 Season Squad

This was an insert in the matchday programme for the Pompey versus Blackpool game on Saturday 24th September. No funny hand positions in this season's photograph!

@PompeyChicken at Twitter.com

24/09/2011 Portsmouth 1-0 Blackpool: Viking Volley, Victory!

A stoppage time winner by Norwegian international Erik Huseklepp secured Pompey three valuable points in this Championship encounter at Fratton Park.

Pompey made one change to their starting line-up, from the game against Hull City the previous week, Liam Lawrence came back in to the team in place of Luke Varney. Lawrence had completed his ban following two yellow cards against West Ham whilst Varney was starting his ban following a straight red at the KC Stadium. David Norris returned the skipper's armband to Lawrence.

Aaron Mokoena, who had such a torrid time against Hull playing at right back moved to centre back and Greg Halford played in the wider defensive position.

Joel Ward played in a central midfield role with David Norris playing high up front with Benjani in a lone striker role flanked by Huseklepp and Lawrence pushing forward down the flanks. The Norwegian and the Irishman did swap wings at one point during the first half but Huseklepp mainly played out left and Lawrence out right.

The other 'big news' was that Steve Cotterill had ditched the tracksuit and was suited and booted. Both he and Ian Holloway looked very smart on the touchline. It must be a West Country thing.

Blackpool looked the brighter side in the first half and Pompey had Jamie Ashdown to thank for a couple of good saves including a good block from Matt Phillips who found himself through one-on-one with the 'keeper. Ashdown made himself big, having come out of goal, and the ball deflected away for a corner after Phillips had shot. Ashdown also tipped a Blackpool free-kick over the bar from a Thomas Ince free-kick towards the end of the first half.

Pompey were finding it difficult to deal with the quick movement of the Blackpool players - especially Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Kevin Phillips - who exposed holes in the defence on more than one occasion. Fortunately, for the home team Blackpool were unable to take their chances.

Pompey's best opportunities in the first half came from set-pieces and Joel Ward had two good chances. He found himself completely unmarked in the penalty area from a corner kick but despite getting his head to the ball, the contact wasn't good, and it spun wide of the far post. He should have hit the target. Later he was the first to get on to the end of a Greg Halford long throw in to the penalty box, only to see the ball go wide.

There was one 'Laurel and Hardy' moment during the first half with a Pompey free kick on the edge of the 'D'. It involved Norris and Pearce who pretended to get in each others way before Pearce unleased a shot which didn't get beyond the Blackpool wall. It was a clever idea but with hindsight having Greg Halford blast the ball on goal might have been the better option. This was the sort of move to be tried out when the three points were 'in the bag'.

It had been a much better performance than the previous week with Joel Ward and Erik Huseklepp in particular 'catching the eye' for Pompey. However, Matthew Gilks in the Blackpool goal did not have a single shot to save and Benjani was looking isolated up front on his own.

HT: Portsmouth 0-0 Blackpool

As the second half progressed Mr Deadman the referee racked-up an impressive list of yellow cards, he booked nine players throughout the game, including three for Pompey. One of those players was David Norris who was booked during the first half and as a result was subdued for much of the game eventually being replaced by Kanu.

Unfortunately, Aaron Mokoena suffered an injury just before the hour and was replaced by Ricardo Rocha, the Portugeuse defender was warmly welcomed to the pitch by the Fratton Park faithful. He'd got himself booked within a few minutes of being on. But in typical Rocha fashion he defended with purpose although it wasn't always pretty.

Pompey looked the brighter team in the second half and continued to push forward but with little joy. Liam Lawrence had Pompey's first meaningful shot on goal late on from long distance which Gilks saved easily and this was followed shortly afterwards by Joel Ward with a right footed drive pushed away by Gilks.

Blackpool had a couple of shouts for handball in the penalty area during the second half but the officials were having none of it.

With four minutes of time added and with some fans leaving early having seen enough up popped Erik Huseklepp with a wonderful volley. The move started with a Greg Halford long throw in front of the North Stand, the ball deflected off the head of a Blackpool defender to Huseklepp who volleyed the ball in to the top corner beyond Gilks.

It was a stunning strike and worthy of winning any game. There were some fantastic scenes with the Norwegian celebrating in front of the Fratton End and then running down the South Stand touchline to the Pompey bench where he was joined by players and staff alike.

The sense of relief around Fratton Park was immense and the fans burst in to life chanting "Erik the Viking!". The atmosphere had been subdued to say the least throughout most of the match, not negative but much quieter than normal. It needed a spark and the players hadn't done enough to ignite the passion of the fans: Erik's goal did the trick though!

This was a victory and three much needed points for Pompey, their second League win of the season. Although the overall performance wasn't great nobody will care about that if this is the result kick starts a run of form and Pompey's season. If is a big word though, the Pompey fans are realistic and they know what they witnessed wasn't great. But they also know that Steve Cotterill is going through his second team re-build at Pompey in two seasons and these things do take time, there's still plenty to do.

After the match some were referring to this as a 'Pedro Mendes' moment but it wasn't.

This was an Erik The Viking moment!

FT: Portsmouth 1-0 Blackpool

Portsmouth versus Blackpool: Jamie Ashdown, Greg Halford, Aaron Mokoena, Jason Pearce, Tal Ben Haim, Joel Ward, Hayden Mullins, David Norris,, Liam Lawrence, Erik Huseklepp and Benjani. Substitutes: Stephen Henderson, Ryan Williams, Kanu, Ricardo Rocha, Marko Futacs.

Attendance: 14,935 there was a good vocal following from the North West that provided a nice dash of colour on the Milton End. Interestingly there were Pompey fans on the Milton End too, the first time this season.

Pompey MOTM: Erik Huseklepp. His winning goal aside, Erik had a fine match. He has this canny ability to run down the left flank lose his marker and cut inside to deliver a good pass or a cross. Better teams will find him out if he always does it the same way but at the moment it works and he delivers. He set up Lawrence for one effort on goal in the second half and do you remember his cross at West Ham for the David Norris goal? He's settling in to Championship football very nicely and this was his best game for Pompey so far. His post-match interview on BBC Radio Solent highlighted his modesty, he's a level-headed chap.

Next up for Pompey: Peterborough United at Fratton Park on Tuesday 26th September at 7:45PM in The Championship. This is a great opportunity for Pompey to get their second consecutive win of the season although it won't be easy against Darren Ferguson's team.

Match Action Pictures

Jason Pearce, Aaron Mokoena, Greg Halford and Joel Ward line up to defend a cross in the second half.

Joel Ward, completely unmarked, prepares to head the ball goalwards in the first half but his effort went wide of the far post and the chance was spurned.

David Norris receives his yellow card in the first half, he was subdued for much of the game after this and was eventually substituted.

Pompey players Joel Ward, Greg Halford, Jason Pearce and Benjani prepare for a cross.

Another second half Pompey attack with Kanu and Benjani making a nuscience of themselves in the penalty area.

A second half Blackpool attack.

Another Pompey attack in the second half.

Jamie Ashdown screams out orders to his defenders in the second half.

Pompey prepare to defend a corner in the first half.

The Laurel and Hardy free kick!

Benjani and two Blackpool defenders.

Joel Ward, Greg Halford and Jason Pearce defend against three Blackpool attackers.

Pompey players and staff celebrate Erik Huseklepp's 94th minute winner.

Erik Huseklepp applauds the Pompey fans after the game.

Jason Pearce and Joel Ward, two Pompey young guns, clap the Pompey fans at the end of the match.

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24/09/2011 Portsmouth 1-0 Blackpool: Pictures Of Fratton Park

It was such a beautiful day on Saturday so I decided to take a few pictures of Fratton Park before the game against Blackpool.

It's so different to most of the other stadiums I've photographed over the last 12 months or so. The closest to Fratton Park has been Ashton Gate, Bristol. But there's something about Pompey's stadium which is just that little bit more special than Bristol City's ground IMHO.

Whereas some modern stadia have images and statues outside of times gone by, things I absolutely love by the way, Fratton Park doesn't have that. The history is the ground itself, the way it looks and feels, it's position, the tightness of the streets and alleyways around it, the four floodlight pylons which stand tall and proud as clearly recognisable city landmarks.

As I said on Twitter before the game it's a proper football stadium, a throw back if you will.

At some point in the future Pompey must have a new stadium, the club cannot move forward without one. In the meantime enjoy these pictures. Oh and don't forget to absorb its history every time you visit from hereonin because once it's gone it's gone...

The view of Fratton Park from the bridge at Fratton Station.

Fratton in reverse at the end of the Fratton railway bridge!

Back of the Fratton End.

Floodlight pylon at the corner of the South Stand and the Fratton End.

Floodlight pylon at the corner of the North Stand and the Fratton End.

Back of the North Stand I

Back of the North Stand II

Back of the Milton End I

Back of the Milton End II

Floodlight pylon at the corner of the Milton End and South Stand.

There's a lot of street art along the back of the Milton End and the North Stand which is well worth taking a look at. I plan to go back again and spend some more time doing so at some point, probably not on a match day. The colours and images are tremendously creative.

One criticism, I didn't see too much that was 'football related' but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. In the past I've walked down the back of the Milton End and there have been some Pompey football images, those seem to have gone which is a shame. I've got some pictures of those which I'll dig out sometime and post here.

Go along and take a look sometime and let me know what you think.

Fratton End floodlight pylon looks out over the roof tops - this is my fav. picture of this selection!

The new position of the TV screen in the middle of the Milton End stand, it was previously tucked away in the corner and difficult to see. You can see the nice bright colour the Blackpool fans added to the day from this picture too!

@PompeyChicken at Twitter.com

Pompey Fans At Their Best

Earlier today I came across a blog article which I posted back in December 2010. It contained these great pictures (below) from the front covers of Pompey matchday programmes over the years. They really do show us Pompey fans at our very best, I'm sure there are plenty of other examples and memories out there.

With all the negativity doing the rounds at present in some quarters it's very easy to jump in to the hollow and join in with all the wallowing.

Alternatively, we can do something about it and leave the wallowing to others.

So, as a starting point I thought it would do no harm to remind ourselves that when we all pull together collectively we really are some of the loudest and most passionate fans in the World, let's not forget that!

We can start by channeling all those frustrations - and we're all feeling them - into creating an atmosphere to remember on Saturday afternoon, followed by another one on Tuesday night under the floodlights.

Enjoy these great memories of days-gone-by as a starting point and then let's get on with the job in hand, cheering the team on to six points. Now, don't you feel better already?!

God I love being a Pompey fan :-D

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From Falmouth to Wembley: Bodmin Town - The Journey Continues Into Uncharted Territory

In the third match report from this season's FA Cup Bodmin Town continue to carry the baton.

You can read the match report from the Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round by clicking here ==> From Falmouth To Wembley: Falmouth Town

and the match report from the Preliminary Qualifying Round can be found by clicking here ==> From Falmouth To Wembley: Bodmin Town

FA Cup First Qualifying Round 2011-12: Tavistock AFC 1-3 Bodmin Town
Bodmin Town reached the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time in the Club's history with this excellent away victory over Tavistock.

Tavistock are the only team to have beaten Bodmin Town this season, with a 4-3 victory in their Carlsberg South West Peninsula League match earlier this month, but the visitors got their revenge with a fine display.

Tavistock - known as The Lambs - started brightly and took the lead just before the quarter hour with a goal from their young striker Jarryd Kelly.

The Western Morning News on the This Is Devon website described Kelly's goal like this: he held off the challenge of two defenders before firing low into the bottom corner of Kevin Miller's goal from eight yards.

The Tavistock AFC website described Kelly's goal like this: Jarryd Kelly waltzed pass two defenders before firing a low shot into Kevin Miller’s goal from ten yards.

The This Is Cornwall website described Kelly's goal like this: Jarryd Kelly had fired Tavistock in front after 12 minutes after a sloppy piece of defending by Jack Bartlett.

Bodmin were soon back in the match and equalised just over five minutes later through a fine strike by Sam Matthews on the edge of the penalty area.

The Western Morning News on the This Is Devon website described Matthews' goal like this: Bodmin needed a quick response, and they got it six minutes later when the home defence failed to clear a free-kick, allowing Sam Matthews to blast the ball high into the net from 18 yards.

The Tavistock AFC website described Matthews' goal like this: Minutes later the visitors equalised when a poor clearance by Kinsman resulted in a free kick being awarded. Sam Matthews followed in on the free kick which the home defence failed to clear, to blast the ball into the net from 18 yards.

The This Is Cornwall website described Matthews' goal like this: Bodmin were level seven minutes later when Sam Matthews was on hand to blast home from ten yards after a Steve Colwell free kick had been deflected into his path.

On the half hour Bodmin took the lead through a 25 yard strike by Ben Smallridge which beat Dean Smith in the Tavistock goal.

The Western Morning News on the This Is Devon website described Smallridge's goal like this: Ben Smallridge's 25-yard drive flew low into the bottom corner of Dean Smith's goal.

The Tavistock AFC website described Smallridge's goal like this: On the half hour the visitors took the lead when Ben Smallridge let fly from 25 yards and the ball flew into the bottom corner of Dean Smith’s goal.

The This Is Cornwall website described Smallridge's goal like this: Tricky winger Ben Smallridge was allowed to cut in from the left after 28 minutes and tried his luck from 25 yards with a swerving low drive which O'Hagan cleverly dummied and the ball curled round Tavistock keeper Dean Smith into the net.

Victory and the £3,000 prize money were secured by Bodmin ten mintes from full time when Matthews scored his second goal of the match with a fine lob.

The Western Morning News on the This Is Devon website described Matthews' goal like this: Bodmin made sure of their place [in Monday's draw] when Matthews chipped the ball over Smith from 15 yards 12 minutes from full-time.

The Tavistock AFC website described Matthews' goal like this: it came as no surprise when Bodmin increased their lead in the 78th minute when Matthews, who had a fine game, broke free and lobbed Dean Smith to make it 3-1.

The This Is Cornwall website described Matthews' goal like this: A great move, started in his own half by Colwell, saw Carter slip a pass through to the sprinting Matthews along the right and he held off a challenge before lobbing a superb shot over Smith into the net from 15 yards to make it 3-1.

Tavistock were unable to exert any telling pressure on Bodmin, whose defence remained solid, and the visitors deserved their historic win.

This is turning out to be an exciting cup run and quite a story and I say that as someone who hasn't seen any of the games played! However, through the excellent reporting of the local press and match reports on clubs' websites this is one long distance observer who is learning a lot about Cornish (and Devon) football and is keeping his fingers crossed for another victory in the Second Qualifying Round.

Match Summary

FT: Tavistock AFC 1-3 Bodmin Town (HT: 1-2)

Location/Time: Played at Langsford Park, Tavistock on Saturday 17th September at 3PM BST

Attendance: Not available (again!)

Bodmin Town versus Tavistock AFC: Kevin Miller, Huw Morgan, Luke Rundle, Tom Chambers, Steve Simmonds, Jack Bartlett, Steve Colwell, Sam Matthews, Danny O'Hagan, Adam Carter and Ben Smallridge. Substitutes used in the match: Chris Luxton, Olly Brokenshire and Nick Campbell

MOTM: Sam Matthews - he was excellent in the midfield, he hit the woodwork and scored two goals

Next up: Next up for Bodmin Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup will be away to Yate Town on Saturday October 1st at 3PM. Yate Town play in the Evostik Southern League, Division One South & South West. As of September 17th they were bottom of the table with three points from eight games. It's going to be a fascinating tie.

Sources: I used the following:

The Western Morning News report on the website This Is Devon, click here ==> Impressive win puts Bodmin in next round

The This Is Cornwall website report, click here ==> Bodmin Town record historic victory in FA Cup

The match report on the Tavistock AFC website, click here ==> Tavistock AFC Match Report

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17/09/2011 Hull City 1-0 Portsmouth: What The Hull?

Notes
Pompey made one change to the starting line-up from the previous match, away to West Ham, Joel Ward came in to the starting line-up in place of the suspended Liam Lawrence following his sending off at Upton Park.

David Norris took over the skipper's armband.

Dave Kitson continued to be absent - sore ribs keeping him out of this match following a bout of illness.

This was a mediocre match and a very disappointing performance by Pompey who didn't manage a single shot on goal.

The highlight of the game was Robert Koren's strike, for the only goal of the game, from outside the penalty box past Jamie Ashdown's dive low to his right.

Hull had plenty of other opportunities to 'put the game to bed' throughout the match but were unable to do so - they did have one goal chalked off for offside in the first half.

Jamie Ashdown made a couple of good saves in the second half but Hull were profligate in front of goal despite having most of the play.

Unfortunately, another Pompey player saw red - Luke Varney the culprit on this occasion with a tackle that on the day looked innocuous but with a second viewing on the TV, looked dangerous albeit not malicious.

It was disappointing because Pompey had just started to spark in to life and with Hull having missed so many good chances to kill the game off and claim the three points. An unlikely escape with a draw looked a possibility, all be it a remote one. Kanu was making a nuscience of himself and Ryan Williams was in action down the right wing.

It wasn't to be. The game drifted to its conclusion and those Pompey fans there were left to reflect on a performance that was in such contrast to that against West Ham.

During that match, despite the defeat, there were positives to take away from the game and expectations for Hull adjusted upwards accordingly.

There were no positives to take away from this game at all and now, if some of the message boards and Twitter are anything to go by, fans' expectation levels have dropped through the floor. Perhaps a little too quickly?

On field discipline continues to be a big concern and the health of Dave Kitson does too, Pompey need as many fit bodies as they can muster.

However, let's not forget that this continues to be a re-building project and the pieces are slowly falling in to place.

The results against Middlesbrough, Bristol City, Reading and Cardiff City were all as good or better than the corresponding fixtures last season, this defeat to Hull was the first set back against a team Pompey played last season.

With two home games coming up against Blackpool and Peterborough United there is plenty of opportunity on the horizon to put things back on track.

It won't be easy but it can't get any worse than this reversal.

The early stages of the match against Blackpool will be crucial. If the players get it right on the pitch, the fans will respond positively, if that doesn't happen it could turn ugly. We've all got a big, collective, role to play.

Onwards and upwards. PUP!
Match Action Pictures
Here are some pictures I took at the KC Stadium during the match.

The two teams emerge from the tunnel.

The Pompey huddle.

1H action - players look skywards for the ball.

1H action - a Pompey attack with Ward and Pearce tryiong to get on to the end of a cross.

1H action - a Hull City attacker gets his head on to a cross.

1H action - a Pompey throw in, in front of the East Stand.

1H action - a Hull City free kick.

1H action - Norris and Ward close down a Hull City player.

1H action - Ashdown prepares to gather the ball from a Hull City cross.

1H action - the players look back as Jamie Ashdown's goal kick heads their way.

2H action - Mokoena rises at the far post.

2H action - Varney, Benjani and Norris are the Pompey players in the box.

2H action - Kanu making a nuscience of himself, the referee is about to blow his whistle and you can see why - there's quite a bit of grappling going on.

2H action - Futacs and Pearce jump for the ball at a Pompey corner.
Portsmouth versus Hull City: Jamie Ashdown, Aaron Mokoena, Greg Halford, Jason Pearce, Tal Ben Haim, Joel Ward, Hayden Mullins, David Norris, Erik Huseklepp, Luke Varney, Benjani. Substitutes: Stephen Henderson, Ricardso Rocha, Marko Futacs, Ryan Williams, Kanu
Attendance: 18,311 there were probably between 450 and 500 Pompey fans who made the trip to Hull.
Pompey MOTM: None - it's difficult to pick out a MOTM when the performance was so poor.
Next up: Portsmouth versus Blackpool in the Championship on Saturday 24th September at 3PM
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