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Pompey finished eighth in
the League One standings after twice battling from behind to draw with
Wycombe at Fratton Park. Their opponents were the only side that could deny them that spot and took the lead after Garath McCleary capitalised on some sloppy play. But the hosts did not deserve to go in behind at the break and Marlon Pack converted a corner to get them back on level terms. A Lewis Wing stunner saw the Chairboys restore their advantage in the second half, but Paddy Lane then opened his Blues account to ensure the points would be shared. There was plenty of love for Colby Bishop before kick-off, with the striker collecting 13 different Player of the Season awards – including the prestigious The News/Sports Mail prize. A minute’s applause was then held to remember all members of the Pompey family who have passed away since the end of last season. And the national anthem was also played to celebrate the previous day’s coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III and The Queen Consort. John Mousinho made two changes from the side that secured a draw at Derby the previous weekend. Josh Oluwayemi was given a chance to impress between the sticks, while Tom Lowery also returned, as Matt Macey and Joe Pigott dropped to the bench. Pompey dominated possession throughout the first half and looked to get on the front foot right from the start. They had an early opportunity when Lane’s corner was only partially cleared and Lowery was quickest to the loose ball to draw a smart stop from Max Stryjek. Joe Rafferty then collected a Lowery pass and played the ball across the box for Connor Ogilvie, whose close-range effort was somehow kept out by the Chairboys keeper. The visitors were dangerous on the break, though, and Oluwayemi had to parry away a drilled McCleary attempt. There were calls for a penalty midway through the half when Bishop went to turf under Chris Forino’s challenge, but referee Sunny Singh Gill was not convinced. And instead it was Wycombe who broke the deadlock on 31 minutes, just after Tjay De Barr had angled a shot just wide. Oluwayemi tried to pass the ball out to Rafferty, but it was intercepted by McCleary, who fired past the keeper. Pompey were remaining patient in their search for a response, ignoring cries of ‘shoot’ from the crowd and trying to pass their way through. They almost hit back when the ball landed for Lane, only for his strike to be turned around the post by Stryjek. But the leveller did arrive just before the break, as Jacobs took a corner after his initial effort had led to Bishop’s header being deflected wide. The second attempt was delivered towards PACK at the near post and he sent a fine header past Stryjek and into the net. |
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Portsmouth 1 Wycombe Wanderers 1 |
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There was an opportunity for
Joe Morrell immediately after the action restarted, but he could not keep
his shot down. But Wycombe restored their lead on 54 minutes thanks to Wing’s stunning opportunistic strike from 45 yards that flew over the helpless Oluwayemi and into the net. And the keeper was soon forced off after trying to claim a loose ball and taking a nasty whack to the head from Sam Vokes. Macey quickly readied himself to come on, while Jacobs also made way as Joe Pigott added some fresh attacking legs. Pompey were still trying to pass their way through and showcasing some neat football that was just lacking the final touch. It might have arrived following a spot of pinball in the Wanderers box on 69 minutes that ended with Lane’s shot being blocked. But they were level moments later, as Pigott whipped in a cross from the left and LANE stooped to head it into the opposite corner. They might have scored again when Lowery found Ogilvie in the box, but the defender sent his header past the post. And Pigott went even closer as the game neared its conclusion, with his clipped effort superbly tipped over by Stryjek. There was also another excellent chance for Ogilvie, who met Lowery’s cross and headed narrowly over the bar. The defender also drew a stoppage-time save from Stryjek as Pompey had to be content with a draw to conclude the campaign. |
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PORTSMOUTH LINE-UP |
WYCOMBE WANDERERS LINE-UP |
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Oluwayemi (Macey 64) |
Stryjek |
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Rafferty |
McCarthy |
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Bernard |
Forino |
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Towler |
Tafazolli |
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Ogilvie |
Jacobson (c) (Obita 73) |
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Lowery |
Wing∎ |
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Pack∎ (c) |
Scowen |
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Morrell |
Wheeler |
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Lane |
De Barr (Campbell 60) |
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Bishop |
McCleary (Freeman 60) |
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Jacobs (Pigott 64) |
Vokes (Hanlan 89) |
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Referee: Sunny Singh Gill |
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Updated - 28/08/2023 |
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