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Pompey ended 2016 by picking
up a point in extremely testing conditions at Huish Park. With fog enveloping the ground for the entire contest, it was difficult to make out what was happening at times. But referee Christopher Sarginson decided to let the game go ahead – even if the mass of travelling supporters could not see their side’s attacks in the first half. Both sides did their best to find a path through to goal, but neither was able to finish the year on a high. Paul Cook unsurprisingly stuck with the same side that fought from behind to win at Newport on Boxing Day. But the boss switched to a 4-3-3 system, with Kal Naismith and Michael Smith deployed in attacking roles either side of Noel Hunt. The thick fog engulfing Huish Park began to lift as the kick-off neared, only to return with a vengeance once the players emerged from the tunnel. It was a particular pea-souper in the end housing the visiting fans, who surely struggled to see what was happening once the ball passed the halfway line. There were not an abundance of clear-cut opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, but it was Pompey who looked more of a threat. Naismith was first to test Artur Krysiak in the Glovers goal with a fierce angled effort that had to be beaten behind. The Scotsman also sent in a couple of inviting deliveries that first Matt Clarke and then Smith failed to divert on target from close-range. A corner from Naismith then caused an almighty scramble in the Yeovil box on 28 minutes, but the hosts were eventually able to hack the ball clear. Otis Khan was the player causing the most problems for the Glovers, but a couple of weak efforts from him failed to overly trouble David Forde. The best chance of the half arrived on 37 minutes when Krysiak stuck out a hand to brilliantly deny Naismith, although a raised flag from the linesman diluted that piece of drama. Half Time: Yeovil Town 0 Portsmouth 0 Yeovil caused a moment of panic in the Blues box within seconds of the restart, only for Matt Clarke to charge across the box and make a vital challenge on Khan. A period of Pompey pressure at the other end of the pitch soon led to a shot from Danny Rose that was blocked. Then, seconds later, Hunt burst into the box and hit a fierce volleyed effort that Krysiak did well to get behind. It was the Blues who were dominating possession and Carl Baker had a chance on the hour mark, dragging a shot narrowly wide. Cook made his first switch on 67 minutes, with Kyle Bennett adding an injection of energy into Pompey’s attacking trio in place of Hunt. And it took a great sliding interception from Nathan Smith to deny namesake Michael from opening the scoring by converting a low Enda Stevens delivery moments later. It was a similar outcome on 77 minutes, but this time Krysiak dived on the left-back’s cross before the striker could pounce. Smith did beat the keeper to another Stevens cross soon after, only for Ryan Dickson to get back and clear the ball to safety. But Yeovil roared into life in the final few moments and had a couple of chances to grab a late winner. The first one saw a low cross ricochet off both Clarke and Christian Burgess before Forde was able to jump on the loose ball. And Khan then surged through on goal and had just the keeper to beat, but his fierce drive cannoned back off the corner of post and bar. Pompey were still looking to get forward in the closing stages, although they had ultimately to settle for a point in a contest that will be best remembered for what those present could not see. |
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