22/09/2012 Notts County 3-0 Portsmouth: Pictures Of Meadow Lane

Notes
Here are some pictures I took of Meadow Lane before the recent match between Notts County and Pompey.

This was my third trip to the ground, but only the second time to see a match. Last season I parked at Meadow Lane for Pompey's last match in the 2011-12 Championship season at The City Ground versus Nottingham Forest, on the other side of the River Trent. My first visit was in the 1990s when I witnessed a promotion-chasing Pompey team secure a one-nil win with a goal from Paul Walsh. 

The Meadow Lane ground  has seen a number of improvements since my first visit and is now a modern, all-seater ground that holds around 20,000 fans. As well as hosting football it also hosts Rugby Union.

The ground has four separate stands, none of the corners are 'filled-in'. Pompey fans were located in the Jimmy Sirrel Stand.

Although the result was disappointing, it was another good day out sampling the delights of another away ground. There's always something unusual to see if you look hard enough, you can see what I mean below. Enjoy the pictures!

First view of the ground from the car park. I parked in the bus station, next to the River Trent, overlooking The City Ground, it was very convenient, the cost was four pounds. This stand is The Hayden Green Family Stand.

This is a view of the end of the Derek Pavis Stand at the corner with the Hayden Green Family Stand Note the two sets of turnstiles either side of the tree. These have images of former Notts County players on them. See two pictures below for more. 

Closer look at the turnstiles I/II.

Closer look at the turnstiles II/II.

The ticket collection windows in the The Hayden Green Family Stand.

Project 150: a mosaiic of season ticket holders' photographs on the Hayden Green Family Stand.

The end of the Jimmy Sirrel Stand at the corner of The Hayden Green Family Stand. Spot the matchday programme seller underneath the umbrella.

And there he is again!

Pompey fan waiting for his 815 colleagues who also made the trip to Nottingham.

The back of the Jimmy Sirrel Stand I/II.

Looks like Bristol City were recently in town.

The back of the Jimmy Sirrel Stand II/II.

The end of the Kop Stand. This is where Pompey fans were located in my last trip to Meadow Lane all those years ago.

The back of the Kop Stand. I like the steps you can see through the gates...

...so much so that I took another picture!

Cows! Located at the entrance to the Cattle Market car park. This made me chuckle, it reminds me of a Gary Larson Far Side cartoon where a doctor is examining a patient who has a cow's head, similar to these, on his knee: "I'm afraid you've got cows, Mr Farnsworth" he informs him.

I couldn't resist a second picture of the cows that also included the advert for the Silly Sausage Cafe.

This is a view of The Derek Pavis Stand, you can just see the seats in the Jimmy Sirrel Stand to the left of the picture. I like the modern turnstile buildings dotted around the ground, they've retained an older style feel I think.

This is the back of the Kop Stand and the entrance to the car park I used earlier this year.

An advert for an upcoming Nottingham Rugby match.

Meadow Lane Stadium Plan (oops! I've been referring to it as a ground up to this point).

Pictures Taken Inside Meadow Lane

The Hayden Green Family Stand.

The Derek Pavis Stand.

The Kop Stand.

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Be It Robins Or Magpies It's Murder For Pompey Against The Birds!

18/09/2012 Portsmouth 1-2 Swindon Town (HT: 0-1)
Pictures

The Swindon Town players celebrate their second goal in front of their travelling fans.

 Brian Howard (8) moves to receive the ball from Jack Compton.

 Luke Rodgers (10) and Lee Williamson (7) stand over a free kick in front of the Fratton End.

The enigmatic Paulo Di Canio, Swindon Town's manager, salutes the travelling fans after the match.

Di Canio heads off back to the changing rooms. He is a man of many gestures! Throughout most of the match he was standing in the technical area either watching play or turned towards his staff on the bench making a comment or gesitulating. It was amazing to watch the man in action.

My Tweets

@PompeyChicken FT: #Pompey 1-2 #STFC deep breath, think of dolphins and move on, Notts County on Sat. Night all.

‏@PompeyChicken FT: #Pompey 1-2 #STFC, Lubomir Michalik scored Pompey's goal on his debut in last few mins.

‏@PompeyChicken FT: #Pompey 1-2 #STFC, ten minute flurry of activity at end when Pompey hit woodwork twice can't paper over the cracks.

@PompeyChicken FT: #Pompey 1-2 #STFC

‏@PompeyChicken HT: #Pompey 0-1 #STFC teams are out for 2H, Pompey attacking Fratton End. PUP!

‏@PompeyChicken HT: #Pompey 0-1 #STFC Ritchie's goal well taken, not much celebrating from former Pompey man that I could see.

‏@PompeyChicken HT: #Pompey 0-1 #STFC away fans taking up about four and a half sections of Milton End.

‏@PompeyChicken HT: #Pompey 0-1 #STFC Izale McLeod has worked reasonably well up front picking up passes through the channels.

‏@PompeyChicken HT: #Pompey 0-1 #STFC Obita had best Pompey chance which was saved after good build up play.

‏@PompeyChicken HT: #Pompey 0-1 #STFC Pompey eventually settled after initial 15-20 mins and started to improve a little.

‏@PompeyChicken HT: #Pompey 0-1 #STFC Di Canio appeared to get frustrated with his centre forward and took him off.

‏@PompeyChicken HT: #Pompey 0-1 #STFC thank goodness for Mikkel Andersen in the Pompey goal, Swindon should be out of sight.

‏@PompeyChicken HT: #Pompey 0-1 #STFC it's been Italian Gesticulation Night at Fratton Park.

‏@PompeyChicken HT: #Pompey 0-1 #STFC Matt Ritchie scores for Swindon in the 44th minute.

Portsmouth team versus Swindon Town: Mikkel Andersen, Mustapha Dumbuya, Lubomir Michalik, Gabor Gyepes, Jon Harley; Lee Williamson, darel Russell, Jordan Obita (replaced by Ashley Harris in the 67th minute), Brian Howard, Jack Compton (replaced by Luke Rodgers in the 78th minute) and Izale McLeod. Substitutes not used: Eastwood, Adam Webster, Josh Thompson, Johnny Ertl and Liam Walker

Man Of The Match: Mikkel Andersen who made some excellent saves during the first half to keep Pompey in the match

Referee: Mr S. Rushton

Attendance: 12,121

Next Up: Pompey travel to Nottingham to play Notts County in League One on Saturday September 22nd at 3PM

22/09/2012 Notts County 3-0 Portsmouth (HT: 1-0) 

Pictures

 

   

My Tweets

@PompeyChicken FT #NottsCounty 3-0 #Pompey, right the car park has started to clear, time to get back on the road, safe trip all.

‏@PompeyChicken FT #NottsCounty 3-0 #Pompey, didn't make very good viewing today I'm afraid for the visiting fans.

‏@PompeyChicken FT #NottsCounty 3-0 #Pompey, the 3rd goal came after McLeod put Howard under pressure the ball was lost, County scored.

‏@PompeyChicken FT #NottsCounty 3-0 #Pompey, the second County goal was yet another long range effort, this time by Alan Judge.

@PompeyChicken FT #NottsCounty 3-0 #Pompey, one thing Pompey didn't want to do was concede a second early on, sadly they did.

‏@PompeyChicken FT #NottsCounty 3-0 #Pompey

‏@PompeyChicken HT #NottsCounty 1-0 #Pompey, teams are out for 2H, PUP!

‏@PompeyChicken HT #NottsCounty 1-0 #Pompey ... I don't recall any clear cut efforts on goal though. It's hard work.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #NottsCounty 1-0 #Pompey, Pompey improved a little as the half went on winning a few free kicks on edge of area...

‏@PompeyChicken HT #NottsCounty 1-0 #Pompey the number nine has just completed his hat-trick to cries of 'Sign him up!'.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #NottsCounty 1-0 #Pompey, there are some kids playing a game of six-a-side in front of the Pompey fans at HT.

‏@PompeyChicken HT #NottsCounty 1-0 #Pompey, the goal came early on from a corner, looked like a defensive mix up.

@PompeyChicken HT #NottsCounty 1-0 #Pompey

‏@PompeyChicken #NottsCounty vs #Pompey teams are out, Pompey in their home strip today. Have a good match everybody. PUP!

‏@PompeyChicken #NottsCounty vs #Pompey another good turn out by the Pompey fans today.

‏‏@PompeyChicken #NottsCounty vs #Pompey last time I came here for a Pompey match, Paul Walsh scored with a glancing near post header.

‏@PompeyChicken #NottsCounty vs #Pompey it seems like I was here only yesterday I parked at Meadow Lane for the #NFFC match last season.

‏‏@PompeyChicken #NottsCounty vs #Pompey traffic on the M1 was depressingly slow...

‏@PompeyChicken Welcome to Meadow Lane for the League One fixture between #NottsCounty and #Pompey it's 'autumnal' in the East Midlands. 

Portsmouth versus Notts County: Mikkel Andersen, Mustapha Dumbuya, Lubomir Michalik, Gabor Gyepes, Jon Harley, Lee Williamson, Daryl Russell, Izale McLeod (replaced by Ashley Harris in the 58^th minute), Brian Howard, Jack Compton (replaced by Liam Walker in the 82^nd minute), Luke Rodgers (replaced by Jordan Obita in the 77^th minute). Substitutes not used: Eastwood, Adam Webster, Josh Thompson and Johnny Ertl

Man Of The Match: Pompey's best player on the day was Brian Howard

Referee: Mr G. Eltringham

Attendance: 6,834 (including 816 travelling Pompey fans) – this was Notts County's biggest home gate of the 2012-13 season so far.

"Shoe Army!" I/II

"Shoe Army!" II/II

Next Up: Pompey are at home to Scunthorpe United in League One on Saturday September 29th at 3PM.

Source: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk

15/09/2012 Portsmouth 1-2 Walsall: Notes and Pictures

Match Notes
Pompey fell to their second consecutive home League One defeat against a Walsall side who extended their unbeaten run to five matches.

Two excellent long-range efforts in the second half, from James Baxendale and Florent Cuvelier, gave the Saddlers a comfortable lead. Izale McLeod scored Pompey's goal his third in six outings for the club.

To be frank Pompey were second best on the day and Walsall deserved their victory and the three points.

Before the match there was a one minute applause in honour of former Pompey player, captain, coach and manager Ron Tindall who recently passed away. 

Pompey brought Ashley Harris and Mustapha Dumbuya in to their starting line-up, Gabor Gypes was out injured and Jack Compton dropped to a seven man bench where he was joined by new boy L'ubomir Michalik. This was the first time this season that Pompey had named a full bench.

Prior to the match on-loan Reading starlet Jordan Obita was to be seen going through a rigourous one-one-one training session in front of the North Terrace. This was the last of his three match suspension and Pompey will welcome his attacking flair back in to their squad for the match against Swindon Town on Tuesday.

Both teams played nice, passing football during the first half although the number of direct threats on either goal was limited.

In a taste of things to come, Walsall fired off a number of long ramge efforts towards their travelling fans on the Milton End but all missed the target. That was more than rectified in the second half.

Walsall had the best opportunity of the first half when Jamie Paterson made the most of some ponderous Pompey defending to get away and excellent shot only for Mikel Andersen to pull off a terrific right handed save.

Unfortunately, for Pompey Kevin Long suffered a back injury towards the end of the first half and although he struggled on for a few minutes he was unable to continue and was replaced by Liam Walker with Darel Russell dropping in to the centre of the defence. With both Michalik and Johnny Ertl on the bench it was an interesting decision by Michael Appleton.

There was one massive shout for handball from the fans in the Fratton End during the first half as the visitors scrambled the ball away to safety but neither the referee or the linesman saw anything untoward and the moment passed. [Was it a clear handball? Anyone got any views?]

HT: Portsmouth 0-0 Walsall

The Walsall goals came in a seven minute spell either side of the hour mark. The move leading up to the first was a little controversial as Dumbuya struggling to retrieve a situation on the right hand side appeared to be fouled but the referee let the play go on and the ball eventually made its way to Baxendale on the edge of the penalty area to fire the ball past Andersen.

Cuvelier's goal was an even sweeter strike and from further out. He picked up a loose ball and fired in a fantastic low shot before running off towards the middle of the park and his own fans in celebration. It was a great moment personally for the Belgian who was formally on Pompey's books. 

Pompey fans have witnessed some excellent opposition goals this season already (e.g. away to Colchester United) and this match provided another couple to add to the list. The concerning thing is the number of loose balls being picked up in and around the edge of the penalty area with little or no challenge from the Pompey midfield. Certainly something to work on. All of those goals would have graced a football pitch at any level of the game.

Pompey did manage to get themselves back in to the game with a goal from Izale McLeod, who turned well in the box to fire home, with twenty minutes to go.

However, despite a lively cameo from substitute Jack Compton, Pompey never looked like rescuing a point as Walsall continued to pursue more goals of their own.

Walsall's positive approach was in stark contrast to that of Oldham Athletic, although of course both were ultimately successful, and they came closest to adding to the scoreline when Paterson rattled the cross bar with yet another shot from long distance.

The defeat leaves Pompey on 5 points in 17th position (although effectively minus five and bottom).

FT: Portsmouth 1-2 Walsall

Pre-Match Pictures  

It was a warm, sunny day on the South Coast but as you can see from this picture of the flags on top of the North Stand at Fratton Park it was one breezy too.

All fall down! The Walsall team warming-up. It's always interesting watching opposition teams warming up. Walsall did lots of 'dance moves' amongst other things. No big rubber bands though [see my notes on the League One match against AFC Bournemouth in August for a picture].

Match Action Pictures  

Brian Howard chests the ball down from a Walsall corner kick and gets it away to safety.

Free kick I/II - in a well worked move, Luke Rodgers shapes to strike at goal in a position similar to that from which he scored against Crawley Town, but he actually passed to Lee Williamson.

Set-piece action I/III - a Walsall defender (Nicky Featherstone) heads the ball away from the danger area.

Set-piece action II/III - Pompey header from a corner kick.

Set-piece action III/III.

Free kick II/II - Luke Rodgers shoots directly on goal this time.

Kevin Long down injured waiting for som treatment - it was a back injury and he was substituted, replaced by Liam Walker. Darel Russell dropped from the midfield in to the centre back position.

The Pompey players take on board drinks as Michael Appleton dishes out orders. Kevin Long (far right) actually cam back on to the pitch initially.

Portsmouth versus Walsall: Mikkel Andersen, Mustapha Dumbuya, Josh Thompson, Kevin Long (replaced by Liam Walker in the 45th minute), Jon Harley, Lee Williamson, Darel Russell, Brian Howard, Ashley Harris (replaced by Jack Compton in the 82nd minute), Luke Rodgers and Izale McLeod. Substitutes not used: Simon Eastwood, Adam Webster, L'ubomir Michalik, Johnny Ertl and ConorClifford

Referee: Mr D Whitestone

Attendance: 11,767 (about 320 fans travelled down from the Midlands and made some good noise on occasions).

Man-Of-The-Match: the official award went to Lee Williamson

Next Up: Pompey entertain Swindon Town in League One on Tuesday September 18th, kick-off 7:45PM.
Source for team line-up and attendance: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk

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09/09/2012 Crawley Town 0-3 Portsmouth: Deadman Boxes Himself In

Notes
Pompey beat nine man Crawley Town to notch up their first League One victory of the season.

A tight match was turned on its head when Josh Simpson and Hope Akpan both received two yellow cards followed by their marching orders from the busy referee Mr Deadman.

Pompey gave a debut to Gabor Geypes in defence and there was a welcome return to the midfield for Lee Williamson alongside Brian Howard and Darryl Russell. It's a strong midfield trio at this level, Williamson and Russell are Howard's enforcers, allowing the former Reading man to run the game.

Unfortunately, Geypes suffered an injury just before the half-time break following a headed clearance, he appeared to twist something and limped off in some pain. He was replaced by Adam Webster, Michael Appleton entrusting the defensive duties in the youngster ahead of the experienced Johnny Ertyl. 

Gabor Geypes [or is it Kevin Long?!] passes the ball from the back in the first half.

Geypes looked solid in the 40 minutes he was on the pitch, hopefully he won't be absent for too long. It has to be said that his replacement Webster also had a good game, probably his best performance in a Pompey shirt since making his full debut last season. Slowly but surely he is making progress, gaining experience with each minute on the pitch, he's quite tall too which is an important physical attribute to have in today's game. 

Adam Webster takes a throw-in in front of the East Stand.

Akpan had provided the home team with their brightest moment in the first half flashing a volley just wide of Andersen's left hand post.

Simpson was dismissed before the half-time break and Akpan in the second half. Mr Deadman also dismissed Crawley's manager Ritchie Barker sending him to the stand.

Before they scored Pompey had one good effort on target from Jack Compton who fired in a dipping free-kick from the edge of the box, over the defensive wall only to see his effort tipped over the cross bar. 

Jack Compton's free kick.

Clearcut chances were few and far between and it was not until the introduction of Ashley Harris in the 70th minute that Pompey really started to capitalise on their numerical advantage. His goal came from a far post header after fellow substitute Adam Webster swung in a perfect cross. His celebrations in front of and with the travelling faithful were rewarded by Mr Deadman with a yellow card as is often the way these days. He'd been on the pitch for four minutes.

Seven minutes from time Crawley conceded a free-kick on the edge of their penalty area, former Pompey player Shaun Cooper fouling Izale McLeod and Luke Rodgers curled in a perfect shot to double Pompey's lead.

Luke Rodgers and Lee Williamson stand over the ball before Rodgers scored from the free kick.

Two minutes later McLeod was rewarded for a much better afternoon's work, following his recent below par performances, when youngster Harris drifted inside and slipped him the perfect pass. McLeod rounded the keeper and passed the ball in to an unguarded net.

With the fourth official signalling five added minutes the Pompey fans were calling for more goals and that looked a possibility as Crawley spent some of that time down to eight men following an injury to one of their players. However, they couldn't make any further breakthroughs before Mr Deadman called proceedings to a halt.

A welcome win for Pompey. Assuming that the ten point deduction imposed by the Football League does get applied when they leave administration, the three points leaves them on minus five, still at the foot of the table but clearly a team very capable of pushing in to the top half.

Two wins in a week, the penalty shootout win over AFC Bournemouth in the JPT being the other, mean it's probably fair to say that Pompey's 'pre-season' is over, it's time to push on and focus on gathering more points. There is still plenty of catching-up to do of course but the 'pre-season spillover', caused by the off-field problems, ended here.

Final word to Crawley, expect them to be 'up there'. They were not as good a team as AFC Bournemouth [IMHO] but they have enough about them and enough promotion related momentum to be challenging at the right end of the table.

FT: Crawley Town 0-3 Portsmouth (HT: 0-0)

More Match Action Pictures

First half action I/III - Russell and McLeod in the picture

First half action II/III - Williamson prepares to clear, not by 'hoofing it' though. Pompey's players tend to try and pass their way out of trouble, there were very few long balls played out from the back.

First half action III/III - Pompey defend a Crawley set-piece

Second half action I/II - Crawley defend a Pompey corner, Rodgers and Russell in the picture

Second half action II/II - Rodgers again on the 'keeper at a set piece.

Portsmouth versus Crawley Town: Mikkel Andersen, Josh Thompson, Kevin Long, Gabor Gyepes (replaced by Adam Webster in the 41st minute), Jon Harley, Lee Williamson, Darel Russell, Brian Howard (replaced by Liam Walker in the 83rd minute), Jack Compton (replaced by Ashley Harris in the 70th minute), Luke Rodgers and Izale McLeod. Substitutes not used: Simon Eastwood, Johnny Ertl and Conor Clifford 

Referee: Mr Deadman, he will have better days. I shared a tweet with @PMRyderEsq before the match stating that the referees at this level [seem to] let a lot more [challenges] go and make more errors. In contrast Mr Deadman didn't let very much go at all and as a result he boxed himself in, leaving no room for manouvre, issuing yellow cards rashly and sometimes in error as TV replays showed afterwards. It just so happened that on this occasion Pompey were the beneficiary, there will be other days this season with other referees when  Pompey will be on the receiving end. Afterall, it always evens itself out at the end of the day, doesn't it? [Chuckling to myself with the use of that cliche, I wonder if anyone's ever done some statistical analysis on that?]. 

Attendance: 5,050 (including 1,634 travelling Pompey fans), all the pre-match talk was of a record crowd. Did that materialise? Let me know @PompeyChicken on Twitter.

Man-Of-The-Match: Ashley Harris was the standout player for me. His arrival provided the extra energy required to take Pompey to victory and his goal lifted the spirits of the team.

Next up for Pompey: Walsall in League One at Fratton Park on Saturday September 15th, kick-off 3PM

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