Reds win 6-5 and I hope every Reds fan at the match enjoyed that. FT 2-2, Reds get a bonus point with the penalty shoot out win. We have won a game - get in there! On the same evening that Brighton fail (2-1) to beat Fulham in the PL.
Fairly entertaining game, I thought. 1st half we were the better side and could/should have been up 3-0 at half time. Second half Portsmouth gained the upper hand as the game wore on.
While 1-0 down, their management kept pestering the ref to add time on when our players went down injured and he added 6 minutes, which turned out to be just as well
Very enjoyable evening, good to see Telford and Bremang get their first official goals for the club, although Telford missed an absoulute sitter in the first half (kinda like the one Mo Salah did at the weekend)
Also great moment for Rafiq Khaleel to score the winning pen, and must say Tony Craig's one was one of the best I've ever seen
Attendance at this fixture in the EFL Trophy 4 years ago 1,200 people, tonight close to double that. Despite all the moany gripes about Betsy from some, the broader cross section of fans really want to come to see games at the moment, there is a buzz around the club
Attendance at this fixture in the EFL Trophy 4 years ago 1,200 people, tonight close to double that. Despite all the moany gripes about Betsy from some, the broader cross section of fans really want to come to see games at the moment, there is a buzz around the club
Post by Creepy Crawley on Aug 31, 2022 7:10:04 GMT
All in all a good night out.
A game of two halves where 1st half we were the better team, second half Pompey played a lot better,
Well done to the lads for hanging in there and winning the injury time penalty.
Penalty shoot out was an unexpected bonus ( lots of people had left the stadium not even aware there would be one ! ) It was good fun and I am so glad it was down the home end.
The Pompey fans were loud and proud and I'd say the best away supporters I've ever seen at Fortress Broadfield.
Attendance at this fixture in the EFL Trophy 4 years ago 1,200 people, tonight close to double that. Despite all the moany gripes about Betsy from some, the broader cross section of fans really want to come to see games at the moment, there is a buzz around the club [
You have an answer for everything, Steve.!!
The game four years ago, played on a chilly, wet OCTOBER night and not during School holidays? That and how our previous results in the competition could have been a contributing factor.
Portsmouth by all accounts had a very strong side out last night and it showed. They were fast, tricky, skilful and organised but you know what? so were we. Some outstanding performances, most notably Tilley (my MoM), Zaid (who was outstanding on his debut), Dom, Harry and Tony at the back, Mark Marshall and Teddy Jenks. That doesn't tell the whole story though - every single player was fantastic. Full of running, clever interplays - only played out twice from the back and one time we were nearly caught in possession!
I thought we were the better team in the first half. Portsmouth impressed with their clever and fast interplays in the middle and then...it all fizzled out really. They had one meaningful shot in the first half which brought a very smart save from David Robson, who looked confident and sharp all game, again on his debut.
I thought Zaid took a while to settle, there was a nervousness and an inexperience about his early play and he didn't really seem to know where he should be some of the time but he settled well and had a stormer up the right hand side. At the back there were no concerns - Tony, Harry and Travis dealt with everything without any fuss. The midfield were extraordinary - they played the two key roles you need in a midfield - in possession and out of possession and the out of possession work was outstanding - they sat and watched Portsmouth play their fast game in the middle and then they stepped in, at the right time, every time.
Meanwhile up front David Bremang and Dom were putting in the miles. Dom looked great - he was sharp, always looking for the ball and clever when he got it - he could have had a hattrick in the first half. David won a ridiculous amount of headers for his height against two man mountains and was strong on the ball. He didn't link up that well with Dom but these things take time.
Our first goal was from a penalty - Tilley driving into the box, was he taken out? the only person in the ground that mattered thought so. Dom put it away superbly.
Second half the combination of the Portsmouth subs and our youngsters tiring made a big difference. They took the game to us and yet, for all their possession and clever play, they only had two shots on target - both goals. The first was from a corner where we were outnumbered for height and their player had a pretty much unchallenged header - I think he nearly hit the floodlights with his jump. Nothing the keeper could do. The second goal was outstanding. Scarlett (who I thought was their best player by a country mile) took the ball with his back to Tony Craig, turned, Tony got a great tackle in but he seemed to swivel on the ground, regain his feet and swept the ball into the opposite corner. Other than that no goal threats in the second half.
So, to added time. Six minutes on the board - full credit to Crawley as we dominated the last ten minutes and took the game to them, pinning them deep in their own half. Tilley tried a shot on the turn - spun out for a throw in! A number of bobbling balls from corners and free kicks in their box just begging for a final touch and you know what - I think everyone in the crowd expected us to score.
In the last minute of added on time Tilley drove into the box, was sandwiched between two of their players and let's be honest, Tilley knows how to go down convincingly. Second penalty (we had a much better shout earlier in the half than either of the given penalties). David Bremang stepped up and thumped it into the roof of the net.
Cue pandemonium...followed by an emptying of the ground. I think about half the Crawley support left - I don't think they realised we were going to penalties.
Portsmouth's first penalty - missed by a good 3-4 feet. Jack Powell hit the bar, luckily it bounced down and in, Tilley had a weak penalty saved and then David Robson pulled off a magnificent save to see us through.
The referee? I was not sure what he was doing - he let a lot (a lot!) of the play go and to my mind there could have been a lot more fouls given for both teams. He infuriated the Portsmouth fans (and the manager) for not giving dives on the edge of our box - they tried it again and again but we did seem to get the bulk of the decisions, so no complaints from me.
Sorry for all those who missed this one - it was only £10 but the entertainment was outstanding.
For those wondering what team Portsmouth put out, I checked and checked and checked again. The programme said Portsmouth, the BBC said Portsmouth, Sky said it was Portsmouth...so I guess we just beat Portsmouth on penalties.
A game of two halves where 1st half we were the better team, second half Pompey played a lot better,
Well done to the lads for hanging in there and winning the injury time penalty.
Penalty shoot out was an unexpected bonus ( lots of people had left the stadium not even aware there would be one ! ) It was good fun and I am so glad it was down the home end.
The Pompey fans were loud and proud and I'd say the best away supporters I've ever seen at Fortress Broadfield.
Ten quid well spent !
NOLI CEDERE
I noticed John Westwood was behind the goal at their end, even though I was a fair bit away it was easy to spot him with his hat and the bells and horns
Attendance at this fixture in the EFL Trophy 4 years ago 1,200 people, tonight close to double that. Despite all the moany gripes about Betsy from some, the broader cross section of fans really want to come to see games at the moment, there is a buzz around the club
About half the crowd were Portsmouth fans !
Yes that was the case in the equivalent Pompey game four years ago too! But still around 500 more of our fans compared to back then, good thing, right?
Attendance at this fixture in the EFL Trophy 4 years ago 1,200 people, tonight close to double that. Despite all the moany gripes about Betsy from some, the broader cross section of fans really want to come to see games at the moment, there is a buzz around the club [
You have an answer for everything, Steve.!!
The game four years ago, played on a chilly, wet OCTOBER night and not during School holidays? That and how our previous results in the competition could have been a contributing factor.
What polish are you using this week?
JTG
Lol sorry John did I make the terrible mistake of saying something positive about the club again. Did you go last night, best atmosphere at an EFL Trophy game I can ever remember at the ground, sorry that’s put a crimp in your day! I honestly hope the weather improves for you soon