Tubbs and subs turn it round for Pompey
Saturday, 10th Oct 2015 22:41 by pompey-fans.com staff

Cambridge had looked ahead to Pompey's visit as the sort of game they needed to bring out their best. Well, U's boss Richard Money might have a different opinion now after the Blues returned to the top of League Two in a classic game of two halves.

The half-time sending-off of home skipper Mark Roberts was a bif factor - he saw red at the interval after getting involved with Blues assistant boss Leam Richardson and a number of players who were complaining to the officials about the hosts' goal being allowed.

But Cambridge might have struggled against a rejuvenated second-half Pompey who simply had too much for Money's men. An own goal - which was initially credited to Matt Tubbs - and two goals that were clearly scored by Tubbs earned Pompey their fourth away win in six this season.

With Pompey fielding an unchanged line-up, controversy erupted after just four minutes when Robbie Simpson ran on to Luke Berry's pass to slip the ball under Aaron McCarey - and the goal was allowed to stand despite the linesman having flagged for offside.

Pompey carried very little threat for most of the first half, with two long-range efforts by Gary Roberts the closest they came.

On half-time a melee broke out and Roberts and Richardson were both sent off once the dust had settled. It stemmed, apparently, from Pompey's anger over the goal awarded against them.

From the off after the break, Pompey dominated.

Kyle Bennett tested Sam Beasant a couple of times but it was an own goal that drew the Blues level midway through the second half, immediately after Adam Webster had been introduced and Christian Burgess pushed up front. Under pressure from Tubbs, Leon Legge deflected a Gareth Evans cross past his own keeper.

Less than two minutes later, Roberts' precise ball into the six-yard box was tucked away by Tubbs - and after that there was only one team going to win it.

A couple of decent Pompey chances were spurned before Tubbs nodded in the third from close range after a clearance had struck sub Kai Naismith and come back off the bar.

Evans was shown the afternoon's third red card for a late tackle on Elliot Omozusi, meaning he is likely to miss the next three games.

It puts Pompey back on top on goal difference from Plymouth and sets them up for next weekend's trip to struggling Newport County.

Pompey: Pompey: McCarey; Davies, Burgess, Clarke (Webster 65), Stevens; Barton (Atangana 89), Doyle (c); Evans, Roberts, Bennett (Naismith 75); Tubbs. Subs not used: Bass, Haunstrup, Hollands, Chaplin.

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge

Attendance: 6,607 (1,866 Pompey fans)