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Portsmouth 3-1 Rams - Match report
Portsmouth 3-1 Rams - Match report
Sunday, 20th Jan 2008 08:45

A brilliant hat trick by Benjani decided this game as we welcome back Lewin, congratulate him and ask "Got any mates you can bring?".

I was confident on the way down. You know how it gets sometimes. Despite the rain and spray, 197 miles completed in three hours. On the radio Eamonn Holmes and the panel talked about Keegan , the commentary Man City 3-0 down versus Spurs, ten men, half time then a four goal comeback, Jonathon Macken scoring the winner. "Our Jon Macken" asks a passenger incredulously? I said I think so.

Gunwharf Quays, a pizza at Strada, perfect. To Fratton Park, one car parking place left on the main road . As we get out "Is it? It is! …." an old mate not seen for well over twelve years, Stuart says hello, we catch up, turns out he’s into doing up Choppers and sold one to David James whose match tickets he normally uses. And if you don’t know what a Chopper is ask your Dad, or Grandad. Beware through you might get the whole thing, Aztec Bars, Rally Jackets and Curly Wurleys (one of which you can possibly still buy). The new Choppers aren’t a patch on the original, peddle and crank you might say.

To the match, blustery wind, left to right across the pitch, white shirts line up, in defence Nyatanga, Moore, Todd, Mills. Midfield, Robert, Ghaly, Savage, Fagan, whilst upfront it’s Villa and Miller . Price is in goal.

No sooner had the stewards got us sat down than we score, a free kick form Robert on the right hanging up in the wind, back post header by Moore back across goal, Fagan heads against the bar and Nyatanga side foots the falling ball over the line.

Four minutes gone and we are leading.

Then we should have added a second. Miller getting the better of the Pompey defence, shoots directly at James and the chance had gone.

A better effort though than Nugent who turned in front of goal eight yards out completely unmarked and fired high, high over the bar.

It was a warning. Portsmouth direct football to feet, a passing game, Kranjcar curls one which narrowly misses the post with Price nowhere.

Little pace in the back four, Nyatanga, left back sweeps and clears behind Todd almost reaching the right corner flag.

End to end stuff, Robert working hard tackling back helping Lewin but Ghaly shone covering more grass than Gemmill in his prime. Fagan full of running, three players we will need next year.

Mills pulled up on the half hour, he hadn’t looked as if he wanted to be there in the first place to be honest so maybe he was carrying an injury. Lewis comes on as left full back and we shuffle, Todd to right back. It’s a poor game for Todd, painfully off the pace, a lumbering lethargic lubber relying on memory to get by .

The tide turns and you know in your heart what’s coming.

It arrives. Moore beaten in the box a short pass to Benjani back to goal, Nyatanga behind him, Benjani rolls and fires into the roof of the net. Price nowhere. One all., seven minutes remaining of the first half.

We don’t get to three before it’s two. Benjani loses Todd and powerfully heads home. Price nowhere.

Trailing two one we troop off for words of wisdom and a regroup.

It’s a formation change we re-emerge 3-5-2. It frustrates and stops Pompey overrunning us through the centre which they did first half. We still though look to half chances, it’s not enough.

Benjani grabs his hat trick with Price nowhere and whilst the livewire celebrates, the travelling support up the decibels. They don’t stop till the end of the game. Fantastic support as always from the Derby fans.

Barnes replaces Robert. Teale comes on for Fagan, Ghaly is a one man midfield, it’s not enough though.

In the dying moments Barnes does well to control the ball with his chest, creating a chance one on one with James, the keeper saves at the expense of a corner. 3-2 though would not have been a fair reflection of the game.

And no report could possibly be complete without mentioning skipper Savage. He asked us to make our minds up about him after two games. I’ll refrain from doing that if only because I don’t think that’s a long enough period. However I will leave you with the comments from the two guys on the row behind "What’s Savage done for us this half?", "Same as he did in the first; buggar all", and that me owd ducks is Derbyshire folk. Say what they mean and mean what they say.

Till Wednesday, err Tuesday, nah till we bloomin win and get through to the fourth round though gawd knows how we’ll sell the tickets in three days. Sithee.

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