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Rob Atkinson’s stoppage-time
header earned Pompey a valuable point against Derby in the battle to beat
the Championship drop. The defender had earlier cancelled out a Jerry Yates opener at Fratton Park, only to then send the ball into his own net to restore the Rams’ lead. That all came in a breathless second half period after a Colby Bishop penalty before the break had been saved. And just when it looked as though the Blues were heading for a damaging defeat, Atkinson popped up to salvage a draw. John Mousinho made five changes from the side that were narrowly beaten at Coventry earlier in the week. Atkinson returned from injury to start in defence, with Zak Swanson, Isaac Hayden, Matt Ritchie and Christian Saydee also returning. Cohen Bramall, Jordan Williams, Andre Dozzell and Adil Aouchiche dropped to the bench, with Thomas Waddingham missing out entirely. Anybody expecting a cagey start to the game because of the sides’ respective positions in the table was in for a surprise. The first half was an extremely open – often frantic – affair and the hosts should have taken an early lead. Josh Murphy’s pass sent Ritchie clear and he was brought down by keeper Jacob Widell Zetterström. It was as clear a penalty as you could hope to see, with the only question being what colour card Ruebyn Ricardo would produce, with the referee opting to brandish just a yellow. Bishop stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Zetterström guessed correctly, getting down low to his left to push the ball clear. Derby then had a chance of their own to break the deadlock, with Atkinson nodding clear when Yates sent the ball across goal. But the danger was not over and Marcus Harness tried to find fellow former Fratton favourite Matt Clarke, although it was Craig Forsyth who eventually fired over. Harness then hit a cross that drifted towards goal and struck both the underside of the bar and the post before the ball could eventually be hacked to safety. Ritchie sent a free-kick dipping narrowly over at the other end of the pitch, as the contest continued to be played at a breathless pace. And Saydee soon bundled his way into the box and hit a low drive that Zetterström kept out with his legs. There were more half-chances for both sides as the half progressed and neither was prepared to sit back. The Rams had the final opportunity before the break, but Regan Poole threw himself into the path of a stoppage-time strike from Ebou Adams. Half Time: Pompey 0 Derby 0 And the visitors were also first to threaten following the restart, as Forsyth met Kane Wilson’s cross with a header that Nicolas Schmid tipped over. Pompey, meanwhile, were continuing to push and probe for opening, but struggling to get through and test Zetterström. When Murphy did manage to get a dangerous low ball into the mixer, the keeper was able to push it away. The winger then received a sprayed pass from Saydee and hit an angled effort that flew into the side netting. But it was Derby who went ahead on 70 minutes, as Yates got on the end of Forsyth’s cross to nod the ball past Schmid. Their lead lasted mere seconds, however, as ATKINSON arrived at the near post to meet Murphy’s corner and glance home a fine header. But the defender’s joy was also short-lived, as he inadvertently sliced a Kayden Jackson centre into his own net. Mousinho responded with a triple substitution, as Terry Devlin, Kusini Yengi and Dozzell came on for Swanson, Saydee and Hayden. Harvey Blair and Marlon Pack also replaced Ritchie and Freddie Potts on 86 minutes, as Pompey desperately sought an equaliser. And it arrived in stoppage-time when Schmid launched the ball up the pitch and ATKINSON – playing as an emergency striker – rose to head it into the net. Fratton Park roared – as much with relief as delight – and although the Blues continued to push, the contest ended all square. |
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