MATCH REPORT: Scunthorpe United 1-2 Portsmouth

Portsmouth remain League One leaders with a hard-fought away win to struggling Scunthorpe.

A 500-mile round trip greeted the thousand travelling Portsmouth fans after a week with no fixture.

The result means The Blues have won eight out of 10 away games. Pompey must be realistically looking at a play-off spot in May, going into December.

Two goals in the space of six minutes put The Irons to the sword courtesy of Tom Naylor and Captain Gareth Evans.
Lee Novak snatched a consolation for the Irons at a packed Glanford Park.

Scunthorpe got the game underway on a sunny North Lincolnshire afternoon.
However, the blues started the brightest of the two sides with in-form Striker Oliver Hawkins heading two chances wide.
Dominating possession and starting brightly, Kenney Jackett’s men were clearly coming for all 3 points.

The deadlock was broken in the 34th minute. A very physical first half summed up with a set piece finish.
A floated corner from Evans, headed on from Whatmough resulted in Naylor turning in the box and firing home at the near post!

0-1 34 minutes.

Evans doubled the lead six minutes later. Good build-up play from the back and a neat one-two between Naylor and Evans drew out the irons defence. A chipped through ball played into the box and smashed home from the side of the box, beating Alnwick to double the lead. Six league goals in 17 games for the Skipper.

0-2 40 minutes.

A pretty even second half followed with Portsmouth sitting back and allowing The Irons to attack.
Neither side making any real chances apart from a close effort from Evans, putting wide from 5 yards.

The Blues were made to pay shortly after. Lee Novak grabbing his 4th in 5 games. A cross drilled into the box and curling the ball into the bottom corner from the inside of the area. Fox in the box finish from the experienced striker.

1-2 60 minutes.

Scunthorpe could have easily grabbed a draw with a number of close efforts for The Irons.
George Thomas effort fizzed past the post and a great save from Craig MacGillivray in the dying minutes to send all three points back to Fratton Park.

In Summary – A very similar game to the Bradford match with a similar outcome as well. A hard fought 3 points from a physical Irons side but Portsmouth had enough quality and resilience to take all 3 points from Glanford Park.

Let’s Av’ Him! – Lee Novak
One of the best goal scorers in the league. Will always finish with at least 15 goals and would be a great addition to this blues squad. Can find a goal from anywhere.

He’s all yours! – Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
A lifetime away from the exciting 18 year old making his debut for Manchester United.
Hasn’t settled or found a club to call his own and had the run around from Lowe and Gareth Evans.
Came off at half-time to boot.

Attendance: 4,020 (1,002 away).
Possession: 51/49
Total Shots: 10/16
On Target: 2 / 3
Corners: 4 / 7
Yellow Cards: 4 / 2
Red Cards: 0 / 0