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| Pompey still *clinging* on... |
Pompey beat Proleter, then AC Oxgangs to stay top - but only on goal difference
After beating Darbz Destroyers 4-0, Pompey faced Proleter United last week, then were away to AC Oxgangs. 'Managerless' Proleter - former XCL representatives - are down, but not so AC Oxgangs - and even Proleter could still spring a surprise. McGarvey was still mindful (with a very large squad), of getting a little game time to one or two players. Getting the balance right would be crucial...
Portsmouth 3-0 Proleter United
Just eight seasons ago - about two years ago in 'real time' - Proleter (under Krtz) won the Euro League, and reached the last 16 of the Xpert Champions League, But two managers since had tried (and failed) to 'reboot' an ageing, but still capable team. Both Bossergio - who did stay eighteen months, and stablilised for a while in Div 2, and JasonS - the new absentee who had only taken over in April ultimately have failed to arrest their decline, and you wonder if they will even be in the league in a few seasons - a shame to the legacy I think.
Proleter are down, but had drawn against Dragons Eye Sweden earlier in the season, and the game after this - beat Darbz Destroyers. Their 'default XI' could not be taken lightly.
So McGarvey's 'risk factor' was limited to #2 keeper Isaac Cabanas - making his fifth appearance of the season - after demanding more to be kept happy. With Filipe Costa now 36, and looking short of 'making his marker' for the season, McGarvey needs Cabanas to step up to the plate, this looked an ideal opportunity - with four defenders in front, it was hoped he wouldn't face too much hostile fire.
In also was 22 year-old defender Bernd Vögele, but alongside three seasoned pros. In midfield, Christian Alvarenga (also 22) lined up for his third start of the season (but first in the league) - but again joined by three strong teammates in the Pompey engine room. Up front, the experienced Janne Rundkvist was joined by Italian prospect Caro Biemmi (- again 22). So one in each 'department'.
Pompey were dealt a blow at kick off, and shortly after though. After discovering that JasonS *had* set a 'defend against' formation, and they were using it! The 2nd blow was to keeper Cabanas - being stretchered off after only *nine* minutes, with what looked a bad ankle injury - he will lose ground (ironically - after coming in for an extra game!!).
Richard Florent shrugged off the disappointment to slot leading scorer Jérome Sarrat through on goal, and the Frenchman slotted home, after pushing up against the last man's shoulder, and beating keeper Anastácio Perreira to the ball (20 mins). In what was more or less expected, Pompey came in 1-0 up, with only 2-0 on chances, but 63% of the ball.
The second half was only fourty seconds old when Sarrat got his brace (and eleventh goal of the season, nine in the league) - hitting home from nearly thirty yards, which brought (unsurprisingly) all of Fratton Park to their feet for 2-0.
Wincenty Kulyga then made way for Augustin Franzén (nope, 21 - not 22!), and with fifteen minutes left, McGarvey made a third change with Pierluigi Vignaroli (18) getting some minutes in place of Florent. Franzén picked up an injury with two minutes remaining - and despite having six more chances, it was only in stoppage time that Pompey made it 3-0. Franzén laying the ball off for Rundkvist to blast home a twenty yarder (92 mins). Final counts: 8-0 chances, 64% possession.
AC Oxgangs 0-3 Portsmouth
Pompey had won the reverse fixture at Fratton 6-0, but knew there was no chance of that this Thursday. StMirren's side are all but mathematically safe, but would be no pushovers on their own Oxgangs Arena patch. Nonetheless, in a sort of 'double bluff' - McGarvey kept faith with Alvarenga, Biemmi & Vögele, and of course had to have Costa back in goal.
It was a strange game of two halves - the hosts almost matching the Blues in the second half, but yet conceding two more goals. Pompey had gone ahead on the very stroke of half-time thanks to Biemmi's fourth goal of the season (still with a detectable limp - after a challenge from Oxgangs Afonso Patiño brought him a yellow). Biemmi headed home fellow Italian Claudio Tardelli's centre with seconds of the half remaining. Tardelli was in midfield in place of defender Kulyga for Pompey's only change.
The real turning point though was the 51st minute straight red for Oxgangs Bernardo Espregueira - it looked like George Buske had got it wrong - he wasn't the last defender - maybe now is the time for extended TV 'replays' - full time? So the game changed, and as the Blues pushed forward, so the home side started to create (after Pompey had come in 4-0 up on chances at the interval - with 60% of the ball).
Only two minutes had passed from being reduced to ten, when Tardelli headed home skipper Sunday Yakubu's cross. Yakubu looks something like back to his best - but having missed so many games, he - like Costa - is sure to miss his mark this season :/
Just five minutes on, it was 3-0 (and Pompey were 'done'). Vögele getting his first ever goal for the club. The German climbed highest to meet winger Tardelli's cross just before the hour.
Vögele, Tardelli and Biemmi all came off in the final twenty minutes (at intervals) to give Ludo Iuliano match time - as well as teenagers Vignaroli & Reimar.
Pompey stay top - but with Rampage FC *right* behind them - both on 30 points, Pompey with +28, Rampage +24, and 'scored': 33 and 32. Will it come down to that? Pompey first have two very tough looking games against Dragons Eye Sweden & Silly Sausages (and both can beat anyone). Also Hotshots are just *two* points behind. Could the last day fixture between Hotshots and Rampage FC hold the key??
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2017-07-01 22:14
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Reporter:
Gago_94
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