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TEAMS and STATS |
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Colby Bishop scored twice as
Pompey got the Easter weekend off to a perfect start with a 3-1 victory at
in-form Wycombe. The prolific scorer saw his early effort quickly cancelled out by Portsmouth-born Matt Butcher, only to strike again before the break. And the points were wrapped up midway through the second half, when Christian Saydee lashed home a third goal for the table-topping Blues. John Mousinho made two changes from the side that won at Peterborough before the international break. Connor Ogilvie and Paddy Lane – who missed that game through injury and illness respectively – were both restored to the starting line-up. That saw Jack Sparkes and Myles Peart-Harris drop to the bench, where they were joined by Kusini Yengi following his long trip back from Australia. The visiting fans were making a lot of noise before the game and only got louder when the deadlock was broken after just three minutes. Abu Kamara escaped down the right, surging forward and sending in a delivery that was met by BISHOP, whose effort took a deflection off Nigel Lonwijk to loop into the net. But the home side quickly hit back, with Beryly Lubala’s cross laid off by Richard Kone for Butcher to slot home. The lead might have been restored when Marlon Pack launched a long throw into the box, but Ogilvie’s header was saved by Franco Ravizzoli. And the keeper then dealt with Lane’s angled effort before an attempt from Kamara was deflected over the bar. Pompey continued to apply pressure and restored their advantage on 28 minutes, as Zak Swanson and Christian Saydee combined to feed Kamara. He cut the ball back into the mixer and BISHOP met it with a neat first-time finish that flew into the net. There was soon another good opportunity for the visitors, but Luke Leahy made a vital interception to stop Kamara converting Lane’s centre. The game was being punctuated with heavy showers that made life difficult for both sides and the chances started to dry up. Wycombe did have one just before the break, but when Kieran Sadlier connected sweetly with the ball on the volley, it flew straight into the arms of Will Norris. Half Time: Wycombe 1 Pompey 2 Kamara continued to look dangerous once the action restarted, but was crowded out inside the area before he could get a shot away. And there was a great chance for the Blues to extend their lead when Ravizolli failed to hold a monster Pack throw. Conor Shaughnessy nodded the ball on and Sean Raggett tried to force it into the net, but Freddie Potts managed to stop it on the line. The Chairboys had an opportunity of their own after a Leahy corner was cleared as far as Josh Scowen, but he could only screw his shot wide. They went closer just past the hour mark, as Leahy curled a free-kick against the bar following Owen Moxon’s booking for a nudge on Lubala. But Pompey were still causing problems of their own and there were some nervy moments at the back for Wanderers to deal with. The visitors made their first change on 64 minutes, with Moxon making way and Lee Evans on to make his debut. And they had a cushion moments later after Lane’s cross-field ball found Kamara in the box and he tried to pick out Bishop. Lonwijk got to the ball first, but he could only head it as far as SAYDEE, who smashed home his second league goal for the club. Pompey still had to remain alert and Swanson slid in to win possession inside his own box before Dale Taylor could get a shot away. Bishop still had his eyes on a first Pompey hat-trick, but was denied by Ravizzoli after meeting a Swanson cross. A double change followed on 81 minutes, with warm applause for Saydee and Swanson as they departed for Yengi and Joe Rafferty. And the visitors saw out the closing stages with relative ease to give their promotion hopes a massive boost. |
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Wycombe (4-1-4-1): Ravizzoli;
Grimmer (McCarthy 81), Lonwijk, Tafazolli, Leahy (Forino 75); Potts;
Lubala, Scowen (c) (Taylor 64), Butcher, Sadlier (Vokes 75); Kone
(Campbell 64) |
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Updated - 04/06/2024 |