Saddlers Shoot Pompey Down

04 January 2013 22:14
Walsall 2 Portsmouth 0

Portsmouth's winless run stretched to 14 games after a fourth straight defeat at the Bescot Stadium tonight.

Pompey began stronger and dominated possession in the early stages of the match. Paul Benson missed a great chance for the visitors when he beat the offside trap to receive Lee Williamson's searching ball but fired wide.

However, Walsall took the lead hanks to some extremely sloppy defending from Mustapha Dumbuya who allowed Fabien Brandy to get ahead of him and finish.

Dumbuya was at fault again when Brandy got the better of him and squared the ball for Will Grigg who evaded Lubomir Michalik's challenge and scuffed his shot past Simon Eastwood.

From that moment on the game was over. Changes were made in the second half but apart from a late shot from David Connolly that the Walsall keeper did well to save at his near post, there was nothing to cheer for the travelling fans who deserved better for their commitment.

The score might have been worse but Eastwood was equal to Craig Westcarr's effort when the striker was put through on goal.

Unfortunately there were hardly any positives to take from this game. Once again the team went to pieces after conceding the first goal and the defence look all at sea.

Barely any chances were created and when they were then they were not taken. But hey, at least we can play well for a little while and Connolly looks like he might be a shrewd signing.

Apart from that, it's all misery. Roll on Notts County next Saturday!

Pompey Player Ratings

Simon Eastwood: 6 - Did what he could.

Mustapha Dumbuya: 4 - Terrible first half.

Lubomir Michalik: 5 - Slow to react at times.

Johnny Ertl: 5 - Needs to go back to midfield.

Adam Webster: 4 - Looks out of his depth.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing: 5 - Barely in the game.

Lee Williamson: 6 - Tried to get things going.

Darel Russell: 4 - Couldn't pass the ball accurately.

Liam Walker: 5 - Ineffective in the first half.

Paul Benson: 5 - Missed a great chance.

David Connolly: 6 - Worked hard and actually had a shot on target.

Substitutes

Phil Smith

Gabor Gyepes

Jon Harley

Jed Wallace (Webster 87): N/A - Late cameo.

Scott Allan (Walker 46): 6 - Could have made things happen.

Ashley Harris (Mendez-Laing 65): N/A - Ran a lot.

Source: Fratton Faithful

Source: FOOTYMAD