Match Reports

Nationwide League Division 1

14 Dec 2002: Stoke City 1 Portsmouth 1 Att: 13,330

STOKE GIVE POMPEY A SCARE BUT FINISHING DENIES US DESERVED THREE POINTS by AndyP

I went to this game full of dread rather than anticipation. With the suspension of O'Connor and the injury problems I expected a weakened Stoke side to be no match for top of the league Portsmouth. Basically if you'd have offered me a 1-1 draw at the start of this game I would snapped your hand off! So it shows how well Stoke played when I'm gutted we didn't take three points from this game. The first half performance from Stoke was inspirational, not letting Pompey settle into any stride, forcing errors, and creating enough chances to be 3-0 up at the break. However tactical changes at half-time by Portsmouth manager Redknapp gave Stoke a lot more to think about, and faced with plenty of second half pressure it seemed inevitable that Stoke would concede at some point.

We sat in the car before the game listening to Tony Pulis' pre-match interview. He confirmed that Peter Hoekstra was out with a hamstring injury, and claimed skipper Peter Handyside was very doubtful as he'd been "struggling with a groin". (Whether it was his own groin or not, Pulis did not elaborate!!) So it was a pleasant surprise to see Handyside make it into the team, while the midfield included two young uns, Karl Henry in the holding role and Lewis Neal on the left. Greenacre was partnered upfront by Cooke, and on loan Steve Banks continued in goal. Marcus Hall started for his second game at left back.

With a impressive Pompey following, the atmosphere in the ground was great as game started at a high tempo, and it was Marcus Hall who nearly put us in trouble in the opening minute. His sloppy control let in Todorov down the right and his cross flew across the six yard box and out for a goalkick as no one on either side could connect to clear or finish! But with the next move Stoke almost took the lead. On 2 minutes Henry intercepted well in midfield and went on a run down the left. He threaded the ball on past the fullback to Neal and his deep cross was headed just over by Cooke as he did well to get over it. On 4 minutes a move involving some good passing from Pompey ended in a shot from the edge of the box which went straight into the arms of Banks. This proved to be Portsmouth's last real effort of the first half!

Five minutes into the game a large group of supporters dressed as Elvis appeared from the depths of the Sentinel Stand, and made their way to the first two rows at the front. This was greeted by a large cheer from the crowd and they gave good entertainment throughout the match, and even Paul Merson seemed to enjoy some friendly banter with the massed "Kings"!

Maybe inspired by the presence of the quiffs and sequins, Stoke started to play really well at this point, and it was a very passionate game. On 6 minutes Cooke stormed into the box on the right and cut the ball back to Neal unmarked about 12 yards out. It was slightly behind him but he controlled it and looked to pass it, when a smart turn would have seen him presented with a free shot on target, and a chance was wasted. The niggly referee awarded Portsmouth a free-kick 25 yards out on the right on 7 minutes, but Merson's delivery caught someone offside. A minute later Neal showed great skill in a couple of fine passing moves in midfield linking well with Henry, but a killer ball into the box didn't happen. Another free-kick for a nothing challenge on 11 minutes gave Portsmouth the chance to swing in a cross from 35 yards out. The ball was headed clear by Hall, and Greenacre intercepted a pass near halfway to run in on goal. He had a lot to do facing the last defender, but he used his strength and got round him, though the attentions of the Pompey player probably forced him to try to beat keeper Hislop at his near post, instead of shooting across into the far corner. Hislop went down smartly to smother the shot, which lacked the power to sneak in.

Stoke were agonisingly close to an opening goal on 13 minutes. Neal and Henry combined to get Hall down the left. Hall's cross was flicked on in the box and Cooke arrived at the far post to volley in what looked a certain goal. Amazingly Hislop somehow got something in the way and kept the ball out of the net. It was all Stoke as Icelanders Gunnarsson and Gudjonson linked well in midfield, and the latter's dangerous pacey cross had to be headed clear well by a defender under pressure. The only one on the pitch causing Stoke problems was the referee who was quick to punish any minor Stoke infringement, but chose to ignore similar offences from the visitors! On 18 minutes Pompey were handed a corner from a poor shot which he judged to have taken a nonexistent deflection. Luckily it was not costly.

On 23 minutes a good Stoke ended with Neal but his shot was woefully wide and over. Just over a minute later he was involved again. Cooke released Gudjonsson on the right and his cross picked out Neal on his own about 18 yards out. He did well to control the whipped in ball, but his first touch to take it around the advancing defender was poor and ran away from him allowing Pompey to clear. On 25 minutes a Stoke corner was headed clear and a minute later Thomas knocked in a ball from the right and Cooke headed narrowly wide from an 8 yards angle. At the other end on 28 minutes Henry put in a great covering tackle to prevent the ball running through into the box for a shot on goal.

It was all Stoke at this point with Pompey rocking. On 32 minutes minutes Thomas put a low dangerous cross into the area, and the Portsmouth defence had to clear well from 6 yards out under pressure. They finally cracked on 34 minutes when Stoke took a quick free-kick from the right. Thomas' ball into the area was headed back across the box by Shtaniuk, and Gunnarsson arrived to nod home from 6 yards and send the crowd mad with delight! It was no more than Stoke deserved, and a minute later thy nearly doubled their lead when another good low cross to the near post by Thomas was met by a flashing drive by Greenacre from close range. Whether he connected properly was difficult to judge but it didn't seem far from target as it shot past the post. Confidence boosted, on 35 minutes Thomas went down the right again beat the fullback, and came inside to cut the ball into the path of the Stoke strikers. There was a big appeal for a corner as the ball was deflected out, but the referee awarded a goalkick.

On 40 minutes Henry produced some decent play in midfield before embarking on a run down the left. His low cross was met by a powerful goal-bound Neal shot which was blocked, and the rebound fell to Gunnarsson who shot wildly over from 20 yards. A minute later Stoke were lamost punished as a good move unlocked the defence and a Pompey striker was played in about 12 yards out. Luckily Handyside produced a fine tackle in the 6 yard box to prevent a shot, and also avoided felling the stumbling striker which might have prompted the ref to point to the spot. Stoke looked a little nervous at this stage and a hopeless pass from defence gave the ball away to Burton, and his delivery ended with Quashie shooting wide. A minute into stoppage time Henry was booked for Todorov's magnificent dive, and Portsmouth had a free-kick 30 yards out on the right side. Merson's cross picked out Burton free at the back post but his header across the box was cleared. When the whistle went at half-time, the crowd rose to a great ovation for a Stoke performance that had deserved more than its single goal lead at the break.

Half-time entertainment was provided by several of the Elvis group, an inflatable clown, and the mascots Pottermus and Pottermiss in a race from the halfway line to plant a ball in the Boothen goal. For the betting types amongst you, the winner was Pottermus by a good few yards, with a cool finish! Andy Cooke take note! More of the Elvis contingent appeared on the pitch for a dance to an elvis tune over the PA, and one of them attempted unspeakable acts with Pottermiss! I bet that picture won't get in the Evening Sentinel!

Early in the second half Gudjonsson went on a run and slipped a pass to Greenacre on the right who flighted a cross to Cooke, but he was clambered on and the ball was cleared with no offence given. Redknapp had made changes at half-time (bringing on wide men Harper and Crowe) and no doubt issued a rollicking, so it was no surprise that the league leaders looked more hungry in the second period. After Stoke had started the half brightly they began to shrink into their shell and allowed Portsmouth back into the game. On 57 minutes a good build up by Pompey involving Merson found Burton 15 yards out but he blasted well over. On 60 minutes Neal lost the ball in midfield (which was becoming a second half trend) and it was moved quickly down the right by Portsmouth, and a telling cross was headed over by Crowe from 8 yards. Within the same minute Neal redeemed himself with a brilliant ball through the defence to release Cooke. He ran into the area and cut the ball back for Greenacre a little too early so it shot across the six yards area without our striker being able to get a connection.

On 62 minutes Pompey were on the end of more generous refereeing when a player fell over at the edge of the area and was awarded a free-kick. Merson curled a fine effort around the angle of bar and post which looked very close indeed despite the cat-calls from the Stoke crowd. At this point Pulis decided to make a tactical change, replacing the creative Neal with anchor man Marteinsson on 63 minutes. It was a needed change as Stoke were losing too much possession in midfield, but whether Marteinsson was instructed to play in midfield or not, the pressure from Pompey often made him help form a back five! A minute later there was an amusing incident from a Portsmouth free-kick, awarded after a "foul" by Shtaniuk for which his name was taken. The ball was 40 yards out on the right side, and Merson attempted to pass it short rather than cross, but the intended receiver was on a different wave-length so the ball gently rolled to a Stoke player and we broke away upfield with Merson raging at his team-mate!

Stoke were still making a few chances admist the pressure. On 69 minutes Gunnarsson won a fine tackle in midfield and fed Gudjonsson, and his run and cross was cut out before it fell to Greenacre. Following that chance Stoke endured several minutes of intense pressure. A Portsmouth free-kick from the right 25 yards out on 73 minutes was headed half clear and the ball bounced around the box desperately for almost a minute before it was cleared away. But it was only a temporary relief. On 74 minutes the ball was cleverly chipped back into the box over the defence and Primus slid and stretched to prod an effort past the advancing Banks which was put into the net from about a yard by Crowe arriving at the far post. We looked for the offside flag but it didn't come, and Portsmouth had scored a deserved goal even if it was an undeserved equaliser.

It was almost even worse for Stoke on 76 minutes when Thomas watched as Harper ran straight past him, and the Pompey man hit a powerful shot from range towards the top left corner which Banks went full length to produce a fine diving save and concede a corner. A minute later Gunnarsson was in the book for a foul 25 yards out, but the little chipped free-kick was gathered by Banks who was fouled by the chasing attacker. In a bid to try to win the game Pulis made a double substitution on 79 minutes taking off Greenacre and Henry, and sending on Goodfellow and Mooney on his last appearance before his loan spell ended. This was a good move by Pulis and it quelled the Pompey pressure and brought Stoke back into the game. On 83 minutes Stoke wasted a free-kick 40 yards out as it was placed into the path of the advancing Handyside and his long range strike long was very much a defender's effort as it flew hopelessly wide and high of the target. A couple of minutes later it was Handyside taking a free-kick in a similar position but it was over hit and ran harmlesly out for a goal-kick. On 86 minutes his defensive partner Shtaniuk produced a magnificent challenge to prevent a shot from about 8 yards.

The crowd noise increased in the dying minutes as the home fans tried to urge Stoke on for a winner. On 88 minutes Gudjonsson's spurt took him past a defender but his cross/shot was clutched by Hislop as he dropped to the floor. On 89 minutes Goodfellow's run was ended when he was felled on the left side. The free-kick was quickly taken but just missed Mooney. In the last minute of play the ball flew to Mooney and he controlled it very well before spinning to send a poor shot wide and over from the edge of the box when more composure was needed. Despite the renewed Stoke pressure it was Harper who had the chnce to win it for Pompey in stoppage time as he fired over from 16 yards after some sloppy Stoke play. The final whistle went soon after, and although disappointed not to have taken all the points, the Stoke fans gave a rousing ovation to show their appreciation of a very very good Stoke performance.

Team Marks:

GK Banks (7) Didn't have much to do, but made one excellent save. Very good at issuing instructions and keeping the defence in order.

RB Thomas (7) First half was excellent when he was allowed the freedom to get up the right wing and put crosses in. He had to defend more in the second half which he did well apart from the incident where Harper ran straight past him unchallenged!.

LB Hall (7) Much better than his first game for Stoke. Helped the attack and got some decent crosses in.

CB Shtaniuk (7) Back to his old self. A very good display including a superb challenge at the death.

CB Handyside (7) Again a very good display by Handyside. He rose to the occasion and put in a top display. Impressive for a man struggling with a groin!

RM Gudjonsson (7) Good creative play, but crosses better than last week. His runs seemed to trouble Pompey first half. Also got in some good tackles.

CM Gunnarsson (8) Back to his best. Looked fitter and chased the ball more, winning it well in midfield. Linked well with Bjarni, and scored a goal. [STARMAN]

CM Henry (7) A very decent showing. Won lots of balls in midfield, and linked well with Neal and Hall to create chances. Looked like the England U20 player at last.

LM Neal (6) Some tricky skills and decent crosses early on. Very good control and passing at times, awful at others! But worked hard and linked well with his team mates and showed enough to merit a longer run in the team if Hoekstra is out.

CF Greenacre (7) Ran around willingly and had a good chance to score..Other than that things didn't fall for him, and it was no surprise that he was removed as Pulis tried to give us something different upfront.

CF Cooke (7) Hard-working and committed, often surging down the channels to win balls and get crosses in. He has to improve his finishing though as he had a decent chance from a header, and unbelievably had an effort saved by Hislop which looked a certain goal.

SUBS

Marteinsson (6) Brought on to shadow Merson and quell the Pompey pressure in the second half. Didn't really put a foot wrong but was unable to help prevent the inevitable goal.

Goodfellow (6) Set up a couple of good chances with his runs. Didn't trouble Portsmouth with his pace as much as he could have.

Mooney(6) Only had one half chance and although helped switch the emphasis away from having to defend the Pompey pressure, he rarely looked threatening which is the story of his loan at Stoke really!

Conclusion

An excellent first half display from Stoke had Portsmouth floundering and they would have had little to complain about if Stoke had gone 3-0 up. The Stoke pressing when chasing the ball was very good, and the build up and creativity top drawer. The only problem is our finishing! As a result we paid in the second half as Portsmouth let their class tell. Even so Stoke battled on and never looked overawed by the visitors' play. We sat back too much in the second half, but that was probably down to the attacking changes made by Harry Redknapp at half-time, keeping us pegged back at times.

It was a day of mixed emotions. Delighted to have taken a point against a Portsmouth side that will no doubt be in a higher division next season. Yet disappointed that we didn't increase our lead and collect three valuable and morale-boosting points to lift us out of the bottom three. In the first half you could be forgiven for forgetting who was top of the table! I'm sure the players will take great heart from this display, and if we can repeat this a few more times, and find someone who can convert the chances we'll still be in this division next August. A final word about the crowd. This was a superb effort in the stands to match the effort on the pitch. A brilliant atmosphere, much louder of late, and really behind the team to create an intimidating environment for our visitors to play in. The noise in the last five minutes was deafening. Let's keep this up, and roar the Potters on to 1st Division survival!

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