PORTSMOUTH 0 CITY 1
League Division 2
4th February 1989
attendance 13,207
Scorers Gleghorn(44)
Ref D Reeves
City Dibble, Lake, Taggart, Gayle, Megson, Redmond, White, Gleghorn, Morley, McNab, Biggins – subs A Ward(unused), Bradshaw(unused)
Portsmouth Knight, Neill, Hogg, Maguire, Whitehead, Dillon, Kuhl, Hardyman, Moran, Quinn, Aspinall – subs Kelly(54), Fillery(72)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL 4TH FEBRUARY 1989
Nigel Gleghorn’s sixth goal of the season enabled Manchester City to pinch the lead against the run of play at Fratton Park today.
Gleghorn, the only City player to score in all four competitions this season, shocked Portsmouth three minutes before half time when home goalkeeper Alan Knight was caught stranded off his line.
And Gleghorn almost caught Knight napping again a minute into the second half with a scorching shot that narrowly cleared the crossbar. But in an ugly match that threatened to get out of hand. City were made to soak up enormous punishment before Gleghorn’s decisive strike in the Blues first positive move of a dreadful match.
Injury-jinxed City once more had to revert to the youth ranks to patch up a side virtually stripped to the bare bones because of problems that left them without fullbacks Hinchcliffe and Seagraves in particular.
Taggart came in for his League debut at left back with Lake moving from Midfield to replace Seagraves at number two and substitute Ward, a 17 year old youth team striker was called up for his first taste of senior action.
Portsmouth, in only their second match under their new manager John Gregory put the Blues under pressure on both flanks, although neither side showed a great deal of imagination in the opening phases.
The home side threatened in the eighth minute, a long ball from White’s head enabling Quinn to challenge Redmond, who used safety first tactics to squeeze a pass back to Dibble.
Two minutes later Neill found Aspinall unmarked on the right after cutting in to round Redmond. Aspinall chipped the ball into the middle where Lake muscled forward to head clear at the expense of a corner that Dibble grasped above Quinn’s head.
Pompey Continued to step up the pressure and only a fine Lake tackle denied Quinn after Moran had split the city defence with a fine angled pass.
Aspinall was trapped offside, and when the Blues moved forward in a more positive mood, Neil brushed aside Gleghorn to squeeze a pass back for Knight to clear. Quinn set up Neill to put Dibble under more pressure and the Welsh International goalkeeper responded by comfortably holding a long cross from the home fullback. Redmond was constantly helping out Taggart and in turn Megson could often be seen dropping back to cover for his skipper as the Blues were made to soak up further punishment.
When City did Counterpunch Gleghorn linked with White, and McNab provided the cross from the right. White got in a header but it was well off Target with the Blues still finding it difficult to find the blend and balance.
Morley attempted to rectify matters for City with a crisp shot that took a deflection for a corner. White’s flag kick to the near post was headyed clear by Aspinall.
Taggart, still anxiously finding his feet, drove the free kick for Biggins to test Knight with a shot from the left as City continued to come out of their shell. But too often the Blues defence found themselves in trouble of their own making with first Lake and then Redmond finding Moran in difficult to handle.
Kuhl’s foul on Morley provided city with a further attacking platform, only for Megson to drive the free kick straight at Knight.
But then, three minutes before half time, City broke the depressing deadlock as they raced into the lead against the run of play.
Lake found White down the right, the cross was a long one with the ball dropping over the head of the exposed Knight and Gleghorn. Came in swiftly to drive home Left footed.
In the 44th minute Biggins was given the yellow card for encroaching on a free kick.
Half time: Portsmouth 0 Manchester City 1
A minute into the second half Knight was again caught off his line as Gleghorn pounced on a long clearance from Dibble. But this time his well struck shot narrowly cleared the crossbar.
McNab one booking away from topping 31 points and a further ban, found himself on the receiving end of intimidating Pompey tactics With a weak referee threatening to let the game slip out of his control.
Players from both sides jostled each other and Lake was involved in an eyeball to eyeball confrontation with Maguire until Biggins intervened.
In the 54th minute Portsmouth made their first substitution, Republic of Ireland International Kelly replacing Moran.
City backed by a strong breeze and with the confidence of a goal, began to look a more positive and potent side as they began to put Portsmouth under more pressure.
Their defence was looking more secure while McNab and Megson were exerting great influence in the vital midfield area.
City began to build up from the back in impressive manner until McNab was unceremoniously, bundled off the ball by the over aggressive Maguire.
But the Blues were certainly looking in the right frame of mind as they lined up their first double victory of the season having beaten Pompey 4-1 Maine Road Last Autumn…