MATCH REPORT: Portsmouth 2-2 Burton Albion
Honours even under the lights!
The Portsmouth fans were treated to a doubleheader at home this week.
First the defeat of Fleetwood Town then a Tuesday night fixture of Burton Albion, fresh from a very good 3-2 win at Plymouth.
Despite a hard thought 1-0 win at home Kenny Jackett named an unchanged side for the visit of Burton.
After a dominating first half from The Blues and a frantic end to end second, a point apiece was a fair result and the 156 travelling Burton fans can make the 4-hour journey home feeling happy with a point.
One thing’s for sure, this Burton side will be in and around the playoffs come May despite currently sitting 15th.
Portsmouth dominated the opening 20 minutes, attacking away from the Fratton faithful, The Blues created chance after chance to take the lead.
Pompey’s left back Brown causing havoc in the opening 5 minutes. Drilling two delightful crossing low into the box, the first caught by the keeper, the second fizzing through for a throw-in.
An early corner from Donohue was nervously punched away by the Brewers keeper.
Curtis (on fine form) dropped his shoulder to cut inside but his low shot tipped round the post by Evtimov.
The former Brewers midfielder Tom Naylor won the ball deep in Portsmouth’s half, played a precise through ball to Walkes who smashed his shot hard into the keeper.
27 minutes in and the returning Donohue hit the deck after a strong tackle, he was immediately substituted by vice Captain Evans.
Evans arrival sparked the Blues back into life.
He unleashed Ben Thompson down the right-hand side and whipped a delightful cross which was headed home by Oliver Hawkins!
Two in Two for the 6ft 4 target man.
1-0 36 minutes.
Burton got hold of the ball a bit more before the half-time whistle sounded around the ground.
A solid first half showing for The Blues and maybe should be more than one up at the break.
Pompey started the second half after the arrival of Devante Cole and was immediately on the back foot!
A quick attacking move down the lefthand side for The Brewers ended with a driven cross into The Blues box.
The ball avoided everyone before Cole managed to hit a low shot into the bottom left corner.
Game on!
1-1 48 minutes.
Cole once again at the heart of the action, driving forward with the ball. Hesketh collecting it on the edge of the box, beating 4 Pompey players to smash home from 5 yards out. A superb solo goal by the former Southampton man.
The game truly turned on its head.
1-2 52 minutes.
Portsmouth gained possession after a horrendous first 5 minutes and looked to carry on where they left off.
Ben Thompson pulling the strings in midfield. The Millwall loanee battling to win every loose ball and starting most counter attacks.
Thompson played in Lee Brown whos looping cross was spilt by the Burton keeper, falling to Lowe on the edge of the box but his effort saved by Evtimov.
Evans took the resulting corner, looped high once again and flapped at by Evtimov. Clarke rose above The Brewers keeper to nod home from close range!
Game on once again!
2-2 57 minutes.
A much evener second half followed between the two sides in terms of possession but Pompey had the better chances.
Pitman came on for Hawkins as the game became more stretched.
Both teams struggling to gain possession.
Lowe broke away and was brought down on the edge of The Brewers box. The resulting freekick (taken by brown) fizzed through the wall but into the arms of Evtimov.
The Brewers broke away with 10 minutes to go but Quinn’s deflected shot couldn’t wrong-foot MacGillivray.
Another chance for Curtis, turning his man but his shot just hitting the side netting from 12 yards.
End to end action followed with a notable freekick from Pittman but the Skipper could only hit the wall and deflect for a corner.
The Brewers had one last chance to take all 3 points but Cole couldn’t find an unmarked Akins in the box. MacGillivray pounced on the loose ball.
Full time blew and a point for both sides in a highly contested game of football.
In Summary – A point deserved for both sides really, a strong first half for The Blues but Burton put an end to their lead in the space of 4 minutes. Maybe 2 points dropped if you had to be ultra critical about the performance but I strongly believe Burton will be pushing for a playoff spot come May.
Lets Av’ Him! – Devante Cole
The forward (on loan from Wigan) changed the game in the second half for The Brewers. A handful in terms of height and pace, the forward should be starting on a regular basis.
He’s all yours! – Dimitar Evtimov
Not their first choice keeper for a reason. Very shakey, flapping at anything in the box. Looked a good shot stopper but anything requiring mobility seemed to make him nervous to say the least. The Brewers can keep him.
Attendance: 18,200 (156 away).
Possession: 46/54
Total Shots: 12/ 4
Corners: 11/ 1
Yellow Cards: 1/ 0
Red Cards: 0/ 0
words Benedict Wallis, D3D4 Portsmouth correspondent