23, Not Out!

Published: 07/10/2023

Pompey overcame Port Vale at Fratton Park to make it 23 games without defeat, and 5 wins on the bounce.

Colby Bishop’s brace in front of the Fratton End was enough for the 3 points that keep Portsmouth top of the League One table. 

The first half belonged to Port Vale and, in truth, the Blues were lucky it was still 0-0 at the break. Funso Ojo struck the post from distance and James Plant somehow fired wide with the goal at his mercy. 

But the second half was a completely different story, as the Blues came out swinging. Just 8 minutes after the restart, Bishop had put Pompey ahead. A deep cross from Sparkes was parried by Ripley into the path of Rafferty. The right-back fired the ball back in on the half-volley and Bishop was on hand to bury it. 

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors, as Kofi Balmer was judged to have handled in the area. Bishop converted with ease, sending Ripley the wrong way. 

Pompey had more chances to put the game to bed, with Raggett twice being denied, firstly by a goal-line clearance and secondly by a good save from Ripley. 

It was a good showing from Raggett, coming in for the suspended Regan Poole, with the Pompey centre back hardly putting a foot wrong all game. 

The win sends Pompey back to the top of the table, as Oxford United had claimed top spot earlier in the day after their early win over Bristol Rovers. 

Portsmouth host Gillingham on Tuesday night in the EFL Trophy, but won’t play again in the league until Saturday 21st October due to international call ups. 

Search

Tweets