A version of events from Pompey's floodlight victory over Cambridge United at Fratton Park, told by Jake Smith.
Pompey went into the midweek clash with Cambridge at Fratton Park with the carrot of a 3rd consecutive win on the cards above them, as well as the possible opportunity to extend their lead at the top of League One to 9 points.
The visitors went into the game off the back of 4 league matches unbeaten following wins against Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town either side of goalless draws with Exeter City and Burton Albion.
There were 2 changes made by John Mousinho with Callum Lang and Colby Bishop dropping to the bench to make way for Abu Kamara and Kusini Yengi, who weren't included in the starting XI at Carlisle on Saturday.
Defender Sean Raggett was also included in the team and therefore made his 227th competitive appearance for the Blues - That feat ensured he became the club's record appearance holder in the 21st century.
He and the rest of Pompey's defence would have been on high alert from the offset in the knowledge that starting striker for Cambridge, Lyle Taylor had scored 3 goals in his first 5 appearances for his new side, having signed from Wycombe Wanderers in the January transfer window.
First Half:
Former Portsmouth defender and current Cambridge captain Michael Morrison attempted to disrupt the Blues and the fans at Fratton Park before the game had even started - He won the coin toss and opted to force Pompey to face the Fratton End in the first half as opposed to the second.
It was the Blues who started the match off the brighter of the 2 teams however with Cambridge defender Ryan Bennett booked for a hefty shove on Kusini Yengi in the centre of the pitch.
Pompey went on to get their fans on board from the offset by showing intent going forward immediately from kick-off and adopting a high press, forcing the visitors into early mistakes and opening up a few half chances, though were unable to get the opening goal.
On the 36th minute, midfielder Tom Lowery went down off the ball and you could see straight away that he was clutching his hamstring. The Portsmouth fans held their breathe but Lowery soon indicated that his game was done and he was eventually replaced by Owen Moxon.
GOAL - Just 3 minutes after the setback of Lowery's injury, the visitors took the lead through defender Danny Andrew, who nodded in from a corner taken by Sullay Kaikai by the North Stand/Milton End. Referee Sam Allison did not immediately give the goal but his linesman on the far side indicated that the ball had crossed the line, so the goal was given. Will Norris was booked for his protests following the opener - Portsmouth 0-1 CAMBRIDGE UNITED.
It took the hosts just 4 minutes to respond to that goal, which really brought the game to life at PO4. In a way, you kind of get the sense that the opener had kicked the Blues up the backside a bit and reinvigorated the atmosphere following a quiet 25 minute spell between minutes 14 and 39.
Kusini Yengi was brought down in the box by Michael Morrison after a couple of attempts to put the ball into a dangerous area - Jack Lankester and goalkeeper Jack Stevens were both booked following the foul and in their attempts to try and put Pompey off in the build-up to the penalty.
GOAL - Kusini Yengi hammered the ball to the right of Jack Stevens, who had dived the wrong way. Yengi had ferociously put the ball into the back of the net - PORTSMOUTH 1-1 Cambridge United.
On the 45th minute, Paddy Lane was wiped out on the touchline by James Gibbons - Despite the Fratton faithful's chants of "OFF, OFF, OFF", the man in the middle deemed it worthy only of a yellow card. That was the final action of the first half, which had come to life in the final 6 minutes + added time.
Half-time: Portsmouth 1-1 Cambridge United
Second Half:
It was Cambridge who came out from the interval the strongest of the 2 sides on the South Coast and Lyle Taylor almost added to his tally in Cambridge amber, attempting to lob Will Norris from just outside of the box. The Blues' keeper saved the effort with his face but Taylor was flagged for offside, so the goal would not have counted even if it had gone in.
Portsmouth failed to gain much control of the game as the visitors threatened through the presence of Taylor up-top, though had chances of their own at the other end with Myles Peart-Harris and Abu Kamara at the heart of attacks and attempts to give the Blues the lead.
GOAL - Right before the hour mark, Myles Peart-Harris gave Pompey the lead with a tap-in and goalkeeper Jack Stevens left stranded following a nicely worked move. Kusini Yengi had kept the chance alive with persistency on the edge of the box to knock it down to Paddy Lane in the box, who took a touch and put the ball on a plate for the Brentford loanee, who in scoring, grabbed his first goal for the club - PORTSMOUTH 2-1 Cambridge United.
From this point forward, the Blues were in control of the match and had chances to double their lead, one in particular had fallen to Kusini Yengi on the 69th minute, however the Socceroos striker was just unable to poke the ball into the back of the net after a dangerous delivery in from the left had caused the Cambridge defence problems.
GOAL - 2 minutes after that half chance for Kusini Yengi, the Blues put a bit of breathing space between themselves and Cambridge and it was a phenomenal strike too. Norwich City loanee Abu Kamara gave Pompey a 3rd with a stunning strike from the edge of the box which had the perfect velocity behind it to loop over the goalkeeper and clip in off the crossbar - PORTSMOUTH 3-1 Cambridge United.
John Mousinho had the luxury to show off his strength in depth in an attacking sense on the 72nd minute by introducing Callum Lang and Colby Bishop off the bench, replacing goalscorers Myles Peart-Harris and Kusini Yengi.
Pompey were able to see the game out with a few chances toward the end of the game but no real opportunity to add a 4th, seeing the match out with relative ease and comfort, playing the slow tempo game the visitors had tried to implement in the first half.
The full-time whistle sounded by referee Sam Allison brought an end to the game, marking back-to-back wins for the club at Fratton Park for the first time since October.
Full-time: Portsmouth 3-1 Cambridge United
Goalscorers: Danny Andrew 39', Kusini Yengi (PEN) 44', Myles Peart-Harris 59', Abu Kamara 71'
Attendance: 19,445 (including 305 away fans)
Jake's Man of the Match: Kusini Yengi - With big shoes to fill coming in for Colby Bishop, the Aussie striker put in a strong and effective performance up-front, providing pace and power to try and force openings behind the Cambridge defence - Not to mention a great penalty to equalise the game at a crucial time before the break too!
Full-time scores from elsewhere in League One today: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers, Burton Albion P-P Carlisle United, Charlton Athletic 1-1 Lincoln City, Cheltenham Town 2-0 Blackpool, Exeter City 0-3 Derby County, Fleetwood Town 1-1 Reading, Leyton Orient 4-3 Northampton Town, Oxford United 4-2 Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United P-P Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Barnsley, Stevenage 2-3 Bristol Rovers
Wins elsewhere for both Bolton and Derby mean Pompey remain 6 points clear at the top of League One, though Peterborough United have further catching up to do after their game at home to Port Vale was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Tune in on Friday (February 16th) evening from 6pm to The Football Hour to hear Jake Smith and a panel of Portsmouth supporters digest all of this evening's action, as well as review the full post-match interview with the gaffer.
The Blues will be back in action on Saturday (February 17th) afternoon at home to Reading and Pompey Live will be on hand to provide full coverage of that match here on 93.7 Express FM from 2pm, LIVE from Fratton Park for a 3pm kick-off.
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