MATCH REPORT: Portsmouth 2-0 Walsall

A first-half goal from Hawkins and a cool finish just after the start of the second half from Curtis kept the Blues top of League One and made it five wins in a row for The Blues.

10 years on from the famous UEFA Cup 2-2 draw with AC Milan, the Portsmouth fans were treated to another spectacle under the lights.
Both sides were short of the class on show that night however, with the likes of Kaka, Ronaldinho and Inzaghi gracing the Fratton Park turf in 2008.

Portsmouth have struggled at home and Walsall picked up an impressive point at home to second place Sunderland, pre-match views indicated towards a score-score win for The Blues.

A comfortable 2-0 followed the 90 minutes at Fratton Park with The Blues easing through the gears as the game went on.
The clean sheet was a bonus as well, with Portsmouth defending well this season but conceding late sloppy goals.

The Blues got the game underway in front of 16,700 at Fratton Park, the pitch soaked from a day full of rain but that didn’t dampen the quality on show.

The Blues dictating play in the opening 45 minutes but it was the visitors who created the first opportunity, Josh Ginnelly’s sixth-minute cross from the left was met with a looping header over the bar by Kane Wilson. The Blues should have had a penalty 15 minutes in. Gareth Evans dragged down in the box but Referee Alan Young waved away any protests.

Midfield Dynamo Ben Thompson drilled a long-range effort wide but Hawkins broke the deadlock a few minutes after.

A deflected cross from the Republic of Ireland international Curtis’ looped over for Hawkins to head home from a few yards out.

1-0 25 minutes.

The hosts were pushing forward for more goals and when Nathan Thompson floated in a cross from the right, Lowe crashed an angled far-post volley well wide when he should have done better.
Pompey came close to doubling their lead again through Jamal Lowe once more with a superb solo run into the box but couldn’t get a shot away on target.

Two minutes into the restart Ginnelly wasted a glorious opportunity to level for The Saddlers. Russell Martin clipped an inviting pass into the left channel, with the winger crashing a right-foot volley over the bar with a goal beckoning.

Lowe made amends a few minutes after halftime, teeing up Curtis to swivel and smash home on the second attempt and make it 2-0. His 7th goal of the season after 16 games.

2-0 49 minutes.

Walsall were now enjoying their best spell of the match and former Pompey loanee, Ronan, drove a shot just wide of the post as they began to pose problems.
However, the hosts responded with a fierce right-footed drive from Nathan Thompson from 25 yards which had flying keeper Liam Roberts tipping it over the bar.

With four minutes of time added, there remained faint hope for Walsall – but this Blues side does not relinquish leads.
In fact, it was Jackett’s men who looked more likely to score the next goal, Ben Thompson going close with a header at the far post.

No late drama at Fratton Park as The Blues hold on for their 8th clean sheet of the season.

In Summary – A very comfortable home win for The Blues under the lights. A little surprised Walsall didn’t course more problems away from home. Nothing to lose and the way Portsmouth have featured at Fratton Park, a point could have been on for them.

Let’s Av’ Him! – Russell Martin.

The experienced former Norwich defender played very well and almost got an assist with a cultured clip in behind the Blues defence. Could add some real steal as Portsmouth’s third defender.

He’s all yours! – Connor Ronan.

A disappointing 20-minute cameo for the former Blues loanee. Looked to have potential while he was at Portsmouth last season but no real end product, unfortunately. This carried over to his performance last night. Could be a quality player if he can improve his final ball.

Attendance: 16,794 (184 away).
Possession: 47/53
Total Shots: 18/6
On Target: 7 / 1
Corners: 5 / 8
Yellow Cards: 1 / 3
Red Cards: 0 / 0
words Benedict Wallis, D3D4 Portsmouth correspondent