Portsmouth Home Won 1 – 0 – First Time in 22 Years
After that extended international break, what a way to return to action! Yes, it’s the South Coast Derby again – beware of imitations, as Southampton v Portsmouth is the only real version. The fixture hasn’t always been as toxic as it is now, even back in the darkest days of match-day violence; unfortunately SFC’s marketing people don’t help in this respect, with the announcer describing our boys as ‘the only team in Hampshire’ – quite unnecessary bragging, not to mention rather hard on Aldershot (or Eastleigh for that matter). What’s more, the St. Mary’s scoreboard simply described our opponents as ‘visitors’ whilst not bringing themselves to portray their star and banana badge. Just as lacking in class was not even saying the word ‘Portsmouth’ when reporting their substitutions – thankfully there wasn’t an away goal to detail or who knows what epithet might have been used?
On the pitch is where it matters and Tonda sprang a surprise in recalling Stephens to captain the side, and he also went with an extra midfielder in Bragg at the expense of one of the wide players. In last year’s home derby, Saints were on the backfoot from the start and struggled to get any hold in what turned out to be a goal-less draw. This time, there was an early chance for Larin that gave indication of more attacking intent while Pompey were threatening as well, notably down their left. Southampton’s formation gave Bree licence to get forward, which may have been what was encouraging left-sided Shade and Meghoma, but Southampton’s tactics won out when Azaz crossed for Bree to sneak in and control well with his right before finishing nicely with his wrong foot. More goals to follow this 20 minute strike would have been nice, but the team were controlling things well until just before half time when Bragg pulled back Adams to receive an obvious yellow card that sadly was his second – the player seemed at best close to tears as he made his way off. Almost immediately Bishop was somehow unmarked as he headed Meghoma’s cross downward and it needed a good save by Peretz to preserve the lead. Scienza switched flanks following the sending off but he was back on the left after the restart and was soon freed by the pass of the match from Azaz, only to be foiled by Schmid who clearly realised how important his save was. While Bree, back as an orthodox full back, was now having an easier time against Shade, the same wasn’t true of Scienza and Manning who struggled with Kavuma-McQueen on Pompey’s right, and Scienza soon made way for the more solid defensive presence of Matsuki. Portsmouth’s final delivery from either flank wasn’t really that great while Stephens, Schlotterbeck and their mates were heroically blocking all on-target shots when the ball came into the middle… one or two off-target efforts were uncomfortably close, though. Cautions for Larin (foolish) and Azaz (lucky to stay on) meant our forward players were on the edge of leaving us down to nine. Larin didn’t last the distance, being replaced after 72 minutes, not by Mubama or even Dobbin, but the returning Jander – a welcome season’s debut. Somewhat unexpectedly Azaz now had the sole advanced role and performed it well, while our opponents were visibly running out of ideas. An ungenerous five added minutes would have further discouraged the team from the south east of the county who failed to exceed the home side’s three on-target shots, despite their numeric advantage.
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
5. Jack Stephens. His leadership qualities were to the fore and get him the nomination ahead of Schlotterbeck.
10. Finn Azaz, with an excellent assist, an even better pass that should have been turned into a goal assist, and for leading the attack in the crucial closing stages.
14. James Bree, mainly for a finely taken goal
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