A late goal by on-loan Reading winger Jordan Obita gave Pompey a deserved share of the points at the Weston Home Community Stadium in their second League One game of the season.
In an entertaining match, in front of a sparse crowd (see pictures below), Pompey took the lead on the half hour through Luke Rodgers only to see that cancelled out on the stroke of half-time with a wonder strike by Michael Rose. Colchester took the lead through Magnus Okuonghae with less than ten minutes to play only for Pompey to rescue a point before the full-time whistle.
Just before kick-off I/III
Just before kick-off II/III
Just before kick-off III/III
Pompey made one change from the side
that drew against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday with Liam Walker coming
in to the starting line-up in place of Kieran Djilali, who dropped to
the bench. This was Walker's Pompey debut.
Despite concerns about his fitness Lee
Williamson started the match in midfield, alongside Brian Howard.
However, that decision looked to have back-fired when the combative
player was withdrawn from the action just after the half hour with
what transpired was a hamstring twinge. Williamson will be an
important player this season and Michael Appleton quite rightly was
not going to take any risks that could damage his longer-term
availability.
Williamson was replaced by Adam Webster
who slotted in to right back and the change prompted a switch of
positions for Dumbuya and Walker. The former pushed in to the right
side of midfield and the latter the middle of midfield. Both
acquitted themselves really well in their new positions and were
probably the two standout Pompey players on the night. Strange how
things work out isn't it?
The first 15 minutes of the match saw
the keepers of both sides tested through a combination of crosses in
to the box and decent shots. Both Cousins and Andersen acquitted
themselves well, the highlight being the Pompey keeper's tip over the
bar of a long range free-kick from Colchester's Wordsworth.
The play highlighted the contrasting
styles: Colchester were definitely the stronger at set-pieces
of which they had a number, they were a big and powerful team; Pompey
made excellent use of the width provided by Compton and Dumbuya and
slotted a number of balls through the channels for Rodgers and McLeod
to run on to.
A comment on Andersen in the Pompey
goal, generally he looked comfortable, he does however have a
tendancy to try and punch the ball away from the danger area rather
than try and catch the ball cleanly and he doesn't always make a good
fist of it (excuse the pun!).
Pompey's opening goal saw Luke Rodgers
open his account for the Club and came about as a result of a super
through ball from Walker. The former New York Red Bulls player ran on
to the ball and calmly slotted the ball home past Cousins.
Although he won't want to be reminded
about it, Rodgers was also involved in Colchester's equalising goal,
which came in added time at the end of the first half. In a move that
started with yet another Colchester set-piece the ball fell to
Rodgers on the edge of the penalty area who tamely headed it away. It
fell to Rose who struck a fantastic, powerful half-volley shot from
30 yards that gave Andersen absolutely no chance. It was a goal the
word 'screamer' was made for and would have graced any ground at any
level of football. It drew applause from all round the ground
including the travelling Pompey fans.
The ball falls to Rose whose unstoppable shot beats Andersen in the Pompey goal...
...and leads to a big celebration!
HT: Colchester United 1-1 Portsmouth
Pompey started the
second half the stronger of the two teams and had chances to re-take
the lead. Compton always a threat down the wing, McLeod with a
one-on-one and a close range header, Walker with two decent shots one
that hit the post and Dumbuya with a flashing cross-shot and a second
deflected shot all had good opportunities.
However, the old
adage of paying the penalty if you don't take your chances came true
as Colchester took the lead in the 82nd minute and looked
to be on course for victory.
Although
Colchester had got stronger their second goal was a blow to Pompey
who had looked the better team on the night. Once again it came from
a set-piece, this time a corner from Wordsworth that fell to
Okuonghae who drove the ball home.
Some teams would
have folded at that point but there is something about this Pompey
side and they didn't let their heads drop.
Appleton brought
on Jordan Obita in place of Jack Compton who'd had a terrific night
and the on-loan Reading man was on hand to smash the ball home
following more excellent work by Dumbuya and some frenzied activity
in the box, including the ball hitting the post [I think!]. It was
the perfect way for Obita to announce his arrival and gave Pompey a
point, the minimum they deserved.
Pompey players celebrate Obita's late equaliser, see the players in the background clapping too!
Another reasonably
satisfying night for the travelling Pompey faithful as they watched
this new team develop and make further progress.
There will be some
disappointment that they were unable to take all three points against
Colchester but in the wider context of where this team is in its
development and in light of all the off field distractions a draw was
another positive step in the right direction.
FT: Colchester United 2-2 Portsmouth
Portsmouth versus Colchester United:
Mikkel Andersen, Mustapha Dumbuya, Paul Connolly, Kevin Long, Jon
Harley, Liam Walker, Lee Williamson (replaced by Adam Webster in the
34th minute), Brian Howard, Jack Compton (replaced by
Jordan Obita in the 84th minute), Luke Rodgers and Izale
McLeod. Substitutes not used: Eastwood, Kieran Djilali, Connor
Clifford and Ashley Harris.
Referee: Mr L Collins
Attendance: 4,335 (there were
1,114 Pompey fans who attended the match)
Man Of The Match: the Pompey
MOTM was Mustapha Dumbuya
Next Up: Pompey travel to the
North-West to play Carlisle United on Saturday August 25th.
Reference: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk
BlueThruAndThru
