Pompey 2-0 Guimarães

Wow what a night that was!!!!!
I rushed down to the park from work and got myself a space as soon as I saw one. I headed to the tent for a quick drink and meet Mum. The tent looks bigger than it did last year, and had a couple more bars so that was good.

Once in the ground I soaked up the atmosphere with a coffee!? well why not.
There was about 100 away fans with quite a good voice good on them for coming, but I think we will be taking a few more to the away leg.

The game was fast and for once the ref was very good indeed, yes he made mistakes but he put on a top notch performance.

Lassana Diarra and Jermain Defoe got the goals that gave us victory in our first European match and a healthy advantage for the second leg.
Diarra played a one-two with Defoe and volleyed in to open the scoring. Three minutes later Guimaraes had a chance to level but Joao Paulo Fajardo blazed a penalty over after Sol Campbell hauled down Felix Roberto. After the break Defoe missed a penalty, having won it himself, but made amends with a superb volley to seal the win.
The crowd was at it's best very good and the drums and bell and Bugle were back for this game too.
All together a very good night for Pompey even with the early start so we must thrash them away and progress to the next stage of the UEFA Cup ( that still seems strange!) Play Up Pompey!!!

Pompeygary's MOTM Diarra Again!!!!!!!

Pompeygary's Worst Crouch kept giving the ball away but he will get better.

Pompey verdict 9 out of 10 well done!

Ref watch 8 out off 10 very good.

Pub watch 9 out of 10 the club boozer what else is better.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Utaka (Diop 73), Diarra, Davis, Armand Traore (Hreidarsson 90), Crouch (Kanu 90), Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Kaboul, Mvuemba, Little.

Booked: Campbell.

Goals: Diarra 39, Defoe 60.

Guimaraes: Nilson, Gregory, Danilo, Momha (Luciano Amaral 55), Andrezinho, Joao Alves, Wenio, Fajardo (Jean Coral 64), Moreno, Desmarets, Roberto.
Subs Not Used: Nuno Santos, Sereno, Carlitos, Tiago Ronaldo, Lamelas.

Booked: Roberto, Fajardo, Moreno.

Att: 19,612

Ref: Karl Kircher (Germany).

Europe

Not the band but Pompey in Europe, I can't wait if I get to the game on time!!!!

A little bit about our opponents.....

Although Vitória de Guimarães have never won the Portuguese Football Championship or the Portuguese Football Cup, it is one of the most respected clubs in Portugal, playing in the top division for the last few decades, usually challenging for a UEFA Cup place. However, in 2005/2006 season, the team was relegated to Segunda Liga after its worst championship performance in decades.

In the early 2000s, Vitória struggled to keep itself in the top Portuguese division (Superliga). Those years were marked by the decline of the leadership of Pimenta Machado, former president of the club. Machado was accused on charges of embezzlement. Despite this, Vitória had an impressive season. Progress continued in 2004-05, when they secured an impressive league fifth-place finish and qualified for European competition (the UEFA Cup). Vitoria's recent renaissance fell apart in 2005-06, as they finished 17th in the Superliga despite reaching the cup semi-final, having beaten SL Benfica in the quarter-final where Flávio Meireles scored a goal with his hand. They also failed to progress from their UEFA cup group, as eventual winners Sevilla FC, Premier League outfit Bolton Wanderers and Russian team Zenit progressed.

After the fall, everyone thought that Vitória would get back in the 1st Division quite easily, even though the team itself wasn't that great. Then, what happened was almost a bad nightmare for the fans. Vitória, in the middle of the season, was rounding the 10th place and lower, with very few chances of getting promoted. During the Winter stop, there was a change in the club's Direction and a new coach was hired (Manuel Cajuda). What followed next, was a dream. Vitória started winning game, after game, and in the end managed to get the 2nd place in the 29th game of the 2nd Division. Their promotion was guaranteed.

The promotion was crowned with a 3rd place in the 2007-2008 season, guaranteeing a place in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions' League.

Pompey 2-1 Boro

What a lovely sunny day we had on Saturday a bit to hot to tell you the truth but hay ho I will be moaning when it's freezing in December!

The pub was an odd but a very good one, very friendly with only a few drinkers in. They all spoke with a posh none Pompey accent but were funny with social comments. It felt like a good old fashioned pub with two bars a snug and a public bar the way it should be, we went in the snug and I had my usual Newcastle Brown Ale's lovely and Mum picked up some books at the pub for 20 pence too.

The game was one of the best at Fratton Park for a long time the 2-1 win gave us 6 points out of 4 games not a bad return for the hard start we had been given.

Boro took the lead when Mido was found by striker partner Afonso Alves and drove in a low shot.
We bounced back in determined fashion and the impressive Defoe lashed in a shot after Peter Crouch's pass. Then Defoe secured the win when he volleyed one in.
His goals also secured our first win at home since 29 March.
I was not worried one bit when we went behind I just knew we had to much class for Boro who in the first half played very well indeed. If it was not for their keeper we would of won by a lot more.
I lost my glasses and almost trod on them when we scored the first goal they are the only pair I have so I was scrambling around on the floor looking for them insted of jumping around like an idiot. I think my Mum knocked them off!!!! But it was so good to score at home again!

So now it is time to look forward to our first Euro match this Thursday at 6pm Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!

Pompeygary's MOTM Diarra WHAT A PLAYER!

Pompeygary's Worst O'Neil was he there?

Pompey verdict that's more like it lads 9 out of 10

Ref watch 1 out of 10 Nuff said

Pub watch 7 out of 10 good pub but quiet.

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul (Belhadj 46), Campbell, Distin, Johnson, Diop (Utaka 46), Davis, Diarra, Armand Traore (Hreidarsson 84), Crouch, Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Nugent, Pamarot, Mvuemba.

Booked: Defoe, Johnson.

Goals: Defoe 59, 86.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Hoyte, Huth, Riggott, Pogatetz, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard (Taylor 70), Downing, Alves, Mido (Adam Johnson 84).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Wheater, Porritt, Walker, Craddock.

Booked: Mido.

Goals: Mido 24.

Att: 19,425

Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).

Middlesbrough

So it's time for that rare thing a 3oclock kick off and I cant wait! Time for another 3 points me thinks.

A bit about Boro


The football club was originally formed by Middlesbrough Cricket team players so they could stay fit during the winter. They won the FA Amateur Cup in 1895 and again in 1898. The club turned professional in 1889, but reverted to amateur status in 1892. They turned professional permanently in 1899. After three seasons, they won promotion to the First Division, where they would remain for the next 22 years.

In 1903, the club moved to Ayresome Park, their home for the next 92 years. In 1905, the club sanctioned the transfer of Alf Common for £1,000, a record fee. Over the next few years, their form fluctuated greatly, rising to sixth in 1907–08 before dropping to seventeenth two seasons later. The club rose to their highest league finish to date, third, in 1913–14. The First World War soon intervened and football was suspended.

Before competitive football resumed, Middlesbrough won the Northern Victory League, but the team were unable to maintain their previous form and finished the 1919–20 season in mid-table. They remained in the First Division for the next few seasons, but were relegated in 1923–24 after finishing bottom, ten points adrift of their nearest rivals. Three seasons later, they won the Division Two title. During that season, debutant George Camsell, who had signed from Third Division North side Durham City the previous season, finished with a record 59 league goals, which included nine hat tricks. He would continue as top scorer for each of the next ten seasons. Their tenure back in the top flight lasted only one season, and the club were relegated. They were promoted at the first attempt in 1928–29, winning another Second Division title. The club remained in the First Division until 1954.

Pub For Boro Game

The Barley Mow,Castle Road, Southsea

A mid 1920s pub designed by A E Cogswell, though to a design not generally associated with the architect (Cogswell's builds generally having a more elaborate exterior than that of the Barley Mow). It was built to replace an earlier tavern of the same name. The pub retains two traditional bars and has an attractive beer garden.

A good selection of real ales is on offer. The monday quiz night is a popular attraction.

Time for some Real Ale!!!!!!!!

Tranfer Window Ended

Nadir Belhadj is the only player to come in( on loan) at Pompey on the last day of the tranfer window, with Martin Cranie going to Charlton on loan.

Everton 0-3 Pompey

Wow I did not see this one coming!!! a draw maybe but a good win no. So we get our first three points of the season and I for one am happy about that.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Arteta, Rodwell, Jagielka, Osman (Baxter 71), Yakubu, Vaughan (Anichebe 58).
Subs Not Used: Turner, Jacobsen, Nuno Valente, Kissock, Wallace.

Booked: Baines.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Diop, Davis (Mvuemba 90), Diarra, Armand Traore (Hreidarsson 77), Crouch, Defoe (Utaka 76).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Lauren, Sahar, Djimi Traore.

Goals: Defoe 12, Johnson 40, Crouch 69.

Att: 34,418

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)