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Portsmouth lose at home to Alba to confirm successive relegations
Pompey entertained Alba Gu Bràth at Fratton Park on Thursday, knowing that only one result would definitely see them safe - a win. The only other scenario that could see the Blues stay up, was a Sannox FC win away to Woodwynd Rangers, who currently had the 3rd relegation spot. But Sannox, like Mosspark Camanachd, were already down. So a real "six-pointer" then.
But ever since a close, but good away win at Caudy Town, Pompey manager Scott McGarvey seemed under pressure to get the match time into the youngsters and fringe players of his massive 23 man squad (albeit trimmed by 1 by the sale of midfielder Rod Brightwell).
Alba's Manager - Bazzap1976 - knew that although the sides were level on points, their superior goal difference of +3, against Pompey's level difference, would be enough in the event of a draw. To be fair, they went for the win anyway. But McGarvey had been picking sides with 2 or 3 youngsters in, and with a couple of fringe players, for the last 3 games. Pompey had drawn two of those (getting an undeserved point at Woodywnd along the way), and in a bore-draw at home to leaders (& eventual Champions) Hibbie Hibbie Shake.
A mix-up by staff had arranged a Monday friendly against Div 6 outfit Årnäs IF, the Champions of Div 6:61. It was a bit unwelcome, with training underway for the expected 11 to be fielded at Fratton, and away from home was a banana skin in terms of what it might do to form. A mixed Pompey side, with only 4 players who featured against Alba, flattered to deceive in a 3v1 victory, when Pompey were actually outchanced 4-5. Hector Hardcastle also collected a calf-strain.
Back to the big match, as expected, there were changes from the Monday team, but 4 from the side that drew at Woodwynd. Costa remained in goal, Svensk & Yakubu were at the heart of the defence, but Hardcastle was back, and there was a starting spot for Augustin Franzén (21) on the left of the defence. In midfield, Jérome Sarrat had picked up his 3rd yellow of the season, and crucially for Pompey, missed this one through suspension. It meant a recall for the experienced Uberto Filippinetti. But he was flanked by the youth of Archibaldo Avalos (23) and Cristiano Alvarenga (22).
Up front, a surprise as McGarvey played 3 strikers. The experienced Rundkvist, Gentile ahead of Ludo Iuliano, and a start for 21 year-old Caro Biemmi. Pompey just "weren't at at it, at all" (McGarvey) in the 1st half. Alba dominated with 4 chances to zero, and were 1v0 up thanks to Luther Bennington's close range strike on the half-hour. It was not looking good for Pompey.
The Blues were improved in the 2nd period, (actually outchancing the visitors 3-2), but it was not enough, and Alba actually got a deserved 2nd for their enterprise, and put the game to bed, against a backdrop of an underwhelmed Fratton Park. Keito Ishii firing home from 12 yards (he later had a 'goal' disallowed too). The strange thing had been - prior to the game, the (very outside) chance of getting a play-off place - if results went their way (applied for either side!).
But Woodwynd beat Sannox 3v0 and Pompey's 2nd successive relegation (coming after 2 successive promotions) was confirmed - Div 5 football for the Blues next season then. The only bright spot was the award of the MVP Divisional award to inspirational skipper Sunday Yakubu*, before the game.
(*more on him later).
Pompey's change report was "so so" - according to McGarvey - "about what we expected. We await the drawing of the new division and the teams therein to decide how to progress. We have some ageing players. Hector (Hardcastle) will retire at the end of the season anyway. But Uberto (Filippinetti) and Felipe (Costa) are also 36 themselves. We'll need to take stock and have talks with them as to how to 'kick-on' from here.
Good luck to Hibbie Hibbie Shake, and also to Drygate (who won their play-off) in Division 3 next season. We've thoroughly enjoyed playing in such a competitive league all season, with every side capable of taking points off the other, it genuinely has been great to clash heads with these managers - of all the other 7 teams. Good luck also to Mosspark and Sannox, who will look, like us - to bounce back."
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