Wednesday 11th November
BUCS South Eastern Conference Men’s 4A

After an enthralling victory against the mighty 2nds last week, the Pompey thirds were absolutely buzzing and morale was at an all time high. However, with the news of three key players missing from the same side, some motivational words were needed by the skip who had selflessly opted to drop himself for the game. BUCS league debuts were handed to two boys and starting positions for three others, so the line-up looked considerably different to the previous week, nevertheless just as capable.

After an early bright spell Portsmouth took a quick lead. A direct, beautiful swept ball into the box from Tom Wyatt (dubs) from a free kick, found an un-marked Pritchard in the box, needless to say, the ball ended up top bins, thanks to a good header. With an early lead, the threes looked well set. However, 10 minutes later and the Brighton boys had equalized. After a mishap on the left, the ball was whipped across and hit an unsuspected Folan in the chest who had tried to control the ball. Unfortunately, Folan only managed to place the ball directly into the opposite number 9’s path. A cool finish later past Greenwood and the game was back on level terms. Sadly, within another two minutes things went from bad to worse. Pritchard on a gallivanting run down the middle got dispossessed, the ball pumped high towards our penalty box. Greenwood called it early yet didn’t see the incoming striker bearing down on him. After a missed catch and a couple of flaps at the ball, the opposition’s striker had the easiest of tap ins. Needless to say, our heads went down. Yet, for the next 20 minutes until the half finished, the boys put in a solid finish.

A few well placed and challenging words were said at half time from the coach and skipper, and the boys went out with their heads held high and the fire back in the team. The 2nd half started slowly, Portsmouth showing more composure and gaining more of a rhythm. With chances starting to appear it was only a matter of time before one paid off. With one of their attacks broken down, the ball fell to Dubs who looked up and found the left winger early. After a quick 1-2, Ebun released Emmanuel into the box to slot the equalizer in. Not the most convincing of finishes (Emmanuel claims he ‘did him with the eyes’) as the keeper seemed to dive over the ball! With 20 minutes left, the game was there for the taking. Yet once again after a lapse at the back, Brighton found themselves again in the lead. After some sloppy defending, the opposition’s striker found himself in the box with the ball at his feet. After a scramble of last ditch challenges from Dubs and Parry, the ball ricocheted into the oncoming midfielders feet who smashed the ball past a helpless Greenwood. 3-2 down with ten minutes to go, things started to get desperate. The skip brought Seany on at left-mid, and soon after himself on at right-mid. With every opportunity, Pompey looked to put the ball in the box to allow the boys up top to do their damage. However no clear chances came and the final whistle unfortunately did.

Neither team deserved to win or lose. A fair result would have been a draw, yet on the day, the result didn’t come. A much improved performance needed for the first cup game next week.