2022-2023: Forest Green Rovers – Portsmouth 0-1

Raggett brød den negative stime.

1-0 hos Forest Green Rovers betød, at vi endelig hentede tre points igen, og dermed fik sat en stopper for pointtabene efter fire kampe uden sejr. Det blev samtidig en fin ekstra fødselsdagsgave til manager Danny Cowley, der på dagen fyldte 44 år samt Jay Mingi, som kunne fejre sin 22. fødselsdag. I tabellen ændrede det desværre intet, og vi indtager stadig femtepladsen – dog med to kampe i baghånden på alle fire hold over os.

Der var på dagen hele fem ændringer i startelleveren. Diverse skader betød desuden, at to spillere for første gang i denne sæson var med fra start. Således fik Jay Mingi en ekstra fødselsdagsgave mens også Zak Swanson fik sin første ligastart. Derudover var også Ronan Curtis, Ryan Tunnicliffe og Joe Pigott med fra første fløjt.

Den officielle kamprapport

https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2022/october/match-report-for-forest-green-rovers-vs-portsmouth-on-22-oct-22/

Eftertanken

Trods den stigende form viste Forest Green Rovers sig at være den rette modstander for os til at komme tilbage på sporet. Selv uden en håndfuld vigtige spillere og en noget skaderamt midtbane var det især før pausen forholdsvist komfortabelt for os, og selv om hjemmeholdet overtog mere af spillet i 2. halvleg var de reelt aldrig en trussel. Dermed fik vi som ekstra bonus også endelig holdt buret rent igen, hvilket var tiltrængt efter lidt for mange indkasserede mål i de seneste uger. At denne startellever næppe holder vand mod stærkere modstandere er en anden snak, men på dagen var det altså nok til at sætte en prop i hullet og selv sikre tre vigtige points.

Et hurtigt liga-overblik

Topholdet Plymouth tabte to points i en 2-2 pointdeler hos Bristol Rovers, hvilket betød, at Ipswich rykkede lidt tættere på dem med en 1-0 sejr over Derby County. Også Sheffield Wednesday måtte nøjes med et point da det blev til 1-1 hos Lincoln City. Til gengæld fik Peterborough fuldt udbytte af deres tur til Oxford med en 2-1 sejr. Bag os fortsatte Charlton fremgangen med en 1-0 sejr hos Shrewsbury, og også Bolton fik tre points da de vendte et truende nederlag til en 3-2 sejr hos Accrington. Omvendt så tabte Barnsley med 0-1 hos Morecambe og faldt tilbage på en niendeplads. Helt i bunden finder vi noget overraskende MK Dons, der hjemme tabte 0-1 til Wycombe. De har blot 10 points på kontoen efter 14 kampe.

Kommentarer fra Danny Cowley

“I was actually trying to keep my birthday quiet – there’s no chance of that in Portsmouth! But I had two wishes and one was to get three points, while the other was to get a couple more midfielders back. We’re really short in that area at the moment and it’s been a challenging week since Charlton, so credit to the boys. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but we showed grit, resilience and determination to keep a clean sheet. We looked a goal threat through the game and had Zak Swanson and Jay Mingi making their first league starts, so there’s a lot to be pleased about. The supporters were unbelievable and they’ve definitely made my birthday. They got behind us and were able to drive the energy.”

“Jay was exceptional. For a kid coming in and making his debut, he played with energy and athleticism. He has this ability to be able to pick the ball up and speed your play up by driving through the midfield – it was like Moses parting the Red Sea. There was a lot to like from him and he tired towards the end. We didn’t want to take him off and the next challenge is to produce a 90-minute performance. Ryan Tunnicliffe also deserves a special mention because it’s not easy coming in off so little, but he really played for the team and dug deep.”

Jay Mingi efter kampen

“When I woke up I just knew that it had to be a good day for me and what better way to celebrate than putting in a positive performance and getting a win. I had an inkling that I was going to start on Thursday and then more of one on Friday before it was confirmed. There were some nerves, but that’s just because I care a lot. I forget about that as soon as I’m on the pitch with the ball at my feet, though. I was so happy at half-time and just wanted more of the same. It died down a little after the break, but that match fitness will come. The calves and left hamstring had cramp, but that’s because I put in a good shift and I just need to keep playing and build consistency. I’m hungry for more – I always want more. That’s always the case and it would be the same if I was on top of the world.”

League One, The New Lawn, 22. oktober 2022

Forest Green Rovers – Portsmouth 0-1 (0-1)

17. minut: 0-1 Sean Raggett

Opstillingen (4-4-2): Griffiths; Swanson, Raggett, Robertson (anfører), Ogilvie; Dale (Hackett ‘62), Tunnicliffe, Mingi (Morrison ‘81), Curtis (Koroma ‘62); Pigott (Scarlett ‘58), Bishop

På bænken: Oluwayemi, Morrell, Hume, Hackett, Morrison, Koroma og Scarlett

Advarsler: Tunnicliffe og Scarlett

Udvisning: Ingen

Tilskuere: 4.011 heraf imponerende 1.195 medrejsende Pompey-supportere.

Post-match interview med Danny Cowley