MATCH REPORT: Coventry City 0-1 Portsmouth

Away the lads!

Everyone loves a game under the lights and that’s no different for Kenny Jacketts men.

It was a warm late summer’s evening under the floods at the Ricoh Arena, less than half full but no fault of Coventry or the fans.

With a full EFL fixture list this evening Portsmouth could pull away at the top with a tricky game for Peterborough, away to Sunderland. Another side favourite for promotion this season.

Portsmouth got the game started with the ball zipping around nicely for both teams, with the pitch pre-watered to within an inch of its life.

It took ex-Portsmouth Captain, Doyle, three minutes to give away the first foul of the evening. A familiar sight at Fratton Park during the League Two promotion season.

The first real chance of the evening fell to Portsmouth and Ben Close. A cut back to the edge of the box from Thompson only to be side-footed wide from the Portsmouth midfielder.

A strong opening 15 minutes from both sides with a number of solid tackles on show but no real chances to speak off.

Interestingly, a handful of ex Portsmouth players available for the sky blues, Doyal, Davis and Hyam (who didn’t actually play a minute of football) featuring from kick off. Along with O’Brian on the bench and the home grown Conor Chaplin watching from the stands while he is on loan from the Blues.

30 minutes in and just as Portsmouth seemed to have the game under control, a rare lapse in concentration from Pompey. A lose and short back pass from Whatmore to a Clarke (Clarke pulling away) presented the ball to Clarke-Harris who couldn’t beat the advancing MacGillivray.

Heart in mouth situation for the travelling Blues support.

Portsmouth found themselves up the other end of the pitch a moment later, the ball breaking to Thompson, taking a touch inside the Sky Blues left-back but hitting a pretty tamed shot at Burge.

The fourth official signals three minutes of added time, maybe one more push for Pompey before halftime?

A sublime piece of play followed for the away side, a move more similar seen by a Paul Cook Pompey side rather than Kenny Jacketts.

A moment of intense pressure from Evans on the Sky Blues skipper Doyle, the former stealing the ball away and playing into Ben Close.

Close knocking the ball out of his feet and finding Pitman’s chest and the Blues captain knocking the ball down to Curtis.

The Irish man, cutting inside and going past two tackles then firing into the bottom corner from 20 yards!

0-1 45+3 minutes.

Halftime was called with Pompey going in with a much-needed lead after a very even first 45 minutes.

Coventry started the second half and immediately made a substitution.

Thompson coming on for a lacklustre Hyam.

Jones coming on for the sky blues 10 minutes later, replacing Shipley and having an immediate impact.

Whipping in a brilliant cross, just cleared by Clarke, on the back foot.

Then cutting in from the left, hitting a sweet strike with Clarke (again) getting his body in the way.

Coventry dominated most of the play 25 minutes in but no real chances to speak of. Portsmouth couldn’t clear or retain possession and an equaliser looks inevitable with 20 minutes to play.

Pompey’s travelling support have kept the game alive, singing song after song. With a rendition of Gold – Spandue Ballet (replaced with Lowe). 1,961 in total on a Tuesday night.

A rare Pompey breaks fell to the feet of Lowe but the winger could only blaze over.

Coventry resorting to a real bombardment to try and break the Portsmouth defence. MacGillivray held firm collecting most crossing coming in.

Four minutes of injury time signalled greeted with a roar from the home fans. Cheering their side on for the equaliser.

A free kick with moments to go for Coventry, taken by the ex-skipper Doyle. Swung in from the Irishman and spilt by MacGillivray! Chaos in the box for a few seconds as the ball bounced around, a deflected shot hitting one of the Blues defenders towards the goal line and finally cleared by Naylor on the line!

The full-time whistle finally blew with a cheer from the 1,961 travelling Portsmouth fans. Maybe not fully deserved but take every point as it comes and the 3-hour trip home!

Coventry 0 – 1 Portsmouth

In Summary

A well earned 3 points on the road for the blues, having won 5 and only drawing to Doncaster away from home. Looked a comfortable first half but a change in fortunes and impatience in the second half saw Coventry come out on top. An even affair but Portsmouth ground out the win and sit top of League 1 still.

Let’s Av’ Him! – Jodi Jones

Change the game in Coventry favour when he entered the field of play after 57 minutes. An exciting winger with pace and trickery to worry most fullbacks, the 20-year-old has a bright future in the game.

He’s all yours! – Dominic Hyam

One of the familiar faces on show today for the sky blues, he had an okay game but seemed a few yards off the pace during the first half. Never played a minute for Pompey. Maybe he was carrying a knock as he left the field of play at halftime.

Attendance: 11,102 (1,961 away).

Possession: 51/49

Total Shots: 8/12

Corners: 2/6

Yellow Cards: 1/3

Red Cards: 0/0

words Benedict Wallis, D3D4 Portsmouth correspondent