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
BlueThruAndThru
Source for team line-up and attendance: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk
BlueThruAndThru
