Saddlers give Pompey a scrap : Match Report

Saddlers 1-2 Pompey

Saddlers 1-2 Pompey

Nationwide League Division 1

Bescot, Walsall

Saddlers Latest

Goals

- Merson 89' (Pompey)

- None

Match Report By OneNil

League leaders Portsmouth held on for victory despite an inspired second half performance from the Saddlers in front of the Sky TV cameras. Early goals from ex Saddler Kevin Harper and Svetislav Todorov were followed by a strike from Junior. However Harry Redknapp’s side held on to leave Walsall still scraping against relegation.

The Saddlers began brightly against their illustrious rivals and Junior had forced Shaka Hislop into a save within 32 seconds of the kick off, firing goal wards with his weaker right foot after good link up between Corica and Leitao.

Both Danny Sonner and then Junior fired wide from distance for Colin Lee’s men before Portsmouth took the lead to a great individual goal from Scottish winger Harper. He picked up a pass from Stone on the half way line before running at a retreating Saddlers defence, sidestepping Matt Carbon and slotting the ball past Gavin Ward in the home goal.

On 24 minutes, star striker Yakubu Ayegbini limped off with what looked like a muscle injury after being thwarted by Matt Carbon moments earlier. He was replaced by Jamaican international Deon Burton.

Merson was pulling the strings for Pompey as expected and on 27 minutes, his curling 20 yard effort was saved by Gavin Ward. Five minutes later, Portsmouth doubled their lead through Bulgarian international Todorov. Tim Sherwood crossed from the right wing and Todorov rose highest to head past Gavin Ward from 6 yards.

On 42 minutes, Todorov almost made it three when he fired just over with his right foot from 20 yards out. However on the stroke of half time, Walsall pulled a goal back from Brazilian striker Junior. He pounced on an error by Hayden Foxe and fired in left footed off the far post from a tight angle.

Half Time Walsall 1-2 Pompey

The second half began with a yellow card for Merson who pulled back his white booted compatriot Aranalde.

On 50 minutes, Ward caught a 25 yard effort from Harper and Walsall immediately broke down the other end, almost claiming an equaliser. Junior help up the ball well, before sliding a pass through to Aranalde, who fired just wide from the edge of the box.

Gavin Ward then did well to save a drive from Merson before tipping over a long range effort from Nigel Quashie.

After 63 minutes, Colin Lee decided to replace Corica with defender Danny Hay and Walsall reverted to a 5-3-2 formation. Shots from Todorov and Harper were followed by a header from Leitao, supplied by an otherwise ineffective Wrack, which drifted wide.

Junior was looking most likely for Walsall and he fired wide from distance on 77 minutes. Then Merson latched onto a through ball and rounded Ward but some how Roper managed to get back and slide the ball off the line.

With 8 minutes to go, a tiring Leitao was replaced by David Zdrilic. Wrack was then replaced by Matias before Merson was replaced – to a chorus of boos – by Gary O’Neil.

As Walsall pushed for an equaliser, there was a controversial moment when Hislop misjudged a punch and then seemed to handle outside of his area as he attempted to make up for the error. However, Pompey held on to achieve their 25th league victory this season.

Afterwards, keeper Hislop commented “It was a tense finish. We knew they were a good team.” About the controversial incident, he said “I made the decision to punch. It was the wrong decision. I went up for it (the ball) but I didn’t look where I was, so I don’t know (whether I was outside of my area or not).”

Full Time Walsall 1-2 Pompey

Player Form by 4two

• Gavin Ward, Steady and solid, kicking improved during the second half.
• Bazeley, could have taken action during the first and second goals, but good coming forward.
• Aranalde, MOTM Contender, despite giving Todorov an easy header for the second.
• Roper, that goal line clearance showed why he is the player of the season favourite.
• Carbon, really should have put his foot in on Harper, bit hesitant at times.
• Corica, always looked like he was going to open Pompey up...but he failed.
• Wrack, shocking first half, improved second.
• Samways, I can only recall 2 or 3 occasions when he gave possession away.
• Sonner, if only he had played as well in 1st half as he did in the 2nd. MOTM Contender.
• Leitao, set up Junior, but not his best game.
• Junior, took his goal well, vastly improved second half performance.
• Subs: Pedro, looked sharp. Hay, good to see him back. Driller, didn't do anything.

After Match Reaction