To flotte frisparksmål på Fratton Park.

Av: STEEN HOUMAN

Som forventet var der ændringer i start XI hos Pompey, i centerforsvaret hed det Whatmough og Matt Clarke og på den defensive midtbane havde Aborah fået lov at være med fra start og endelig op foran fik Kabamba mulighed for sin første kamp fra start, mens Conor Chaplin må tænke sit, når en non league spiller starter i stedet for ham i angrebet.

Havde Cambridge håbet på et Pompeymandskab der havde sluppet gaspedallen, så tog de fejl, foran et næsten udsolgt Fratton Park, så ville spillerne gerne vise sig frem foran et stadion der virkede lidt i feststemning efter oprykningen kos i hus i forrige kamp.

Midtbanen med Kyle Bennett, Carl Baker og Kal Naismith var virkelig i hople og de spillede bolden særdeles godt rundt. Dejligt at se den spilleglæde Naismith her.

Åbningsmålet var et mønsterangreb, startet fra midten af banen hvor bolden spilles ud til venstre og afsluttes med en pasning ind i feltet hvor Carl Baker dukker op og sætter den fladt ind.

Ikke lang tid efter havde Baker et indlæg til bageste stolpe, som Kabamba heaede forbi.

10 min før pausen sov Pompey noget i forsvaret, men Whatmough var hurtig til at blokere forsøget og Pompey hold stadig 1-0 føringen. Cambridge havde haft tilløb til chancer gennem halvlegen, men ikke de store.

Efter pausen fortsatte hjemmeholdets dominans, og da Kal Naismith satte et fint frispark ind til 2-0 ja så var den gode stemning kun endnu bedre!

Først i de sidste ti min af kampen, kom der spænding på. Et frisparksmål mere, og endnu flottere end Naismiths, og så stod den 2-1, og i slutfasen, ja der var målscorer Berry ligeved at udligne igen på et nyt frispark, men Fordereddede flot og så vandt Pompey 2-1.

Pompeys assistantmanager Leam Richardson

“It was a great result. In parts we were very good against a really honest, really good, methodical Cambridge.

“I thought our lads certainly had to defend at times and we’re grateful for the result in the end.

“They’re (Cambridge) very well structured, certainly aerially, and with set-pieces. I think our lads had to be switched on and fine-tuned all game. Like I said though, first hour I thought we were exceptional in parts.

“You want to win every game you take part in and I think it’s important that you keep honest.

“There’s a lot of teams working and striving around the country, trying to get in the play-offs and avoid relegation and you must do your part and make sure you get the results and today the lads have applied themselves really well and thankfully we got the results.”

Cambridge-manager Shaun Derry:

“We gave it a go right to the very end. All the games that I’ve managed the club against (the margins) have been so fine and to try to snatch something at the very death there, but Fordey (David Forde) has made an incredible save (from another Berry free kick).

“We knew they were going to turn up in one of two states.

“A state that it was a party atmosphere and the game didn’t matter or they were always going to be on the front foot.

“Just like Sheffield United last week when they turned up against Bradford and they played the best they probably could have done, that’s what the first half was.

“We went in there at 1-0 and had a chat and we spoke about tightening a few things up and we did that second half.

“A great set play from them and you’re still hoping you can get something out of the game.

“You’re always disappointed to give free kicks away on the edge of the box, but Kal Naismith just like Luke Berry for us, you know he’s potent from 20 yards.

“As the game went on, I think our fitness levels were fantastic and we peppered their goal in the final 20 minutes.

“I’m disappointed that we’ve lost, but I think the positives from today take us into next weekend (at home to Crawley).”

“This is an unbelievable football club, one that’s been in the dark for four years now and it’s taken them until now, but they’ve done it and they’ve gone up to League One.

“Congratulations to Paul and his team. You look at the top three that have gone up and you’d probably say they were expected to go up, but they’ve had to do it.

League Two, Fratton Park, 22/4-2017

Portsmouth – Cambridge 2-1 (1-0)

20 min 1-0 Carl Baker

51 min 2-0 Kal Naismith

80 min 2-1 Luke Berry

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Forde; Evans, Whatmough, Clarke, Stevens; Aborah, M.Doyle (c); Baker (Lowe 67), Naismith, Bennett (Roberts 72); Kabamba (Chaplin 63).

Subs not used: O’Brien, Talbot, T.Davies, Rose

Gule kort: Baker, Whatmough, Forde

Tilskuere: 18,165 (622 away fans)