: Original text from Official Site : Translated by webmaster

	2001.12.22
	PORTSMOUTH 2 STOCKPORT COUNTY 0. FULL MATCH REPORT
	FIRST HALF Portsmouth make two changes to the side that lost 1-0 against Millwall ten days ago. Bradbury's knee injury has opened the door for Steve Lovell, who makes only his third start of the season, while Quashie takes to the field in place of Gary O'Neil. This is an important game for Pompey; a chance to 'get back on track', however, Stockport will be no push-over despite propping up the rest of the first division. Carlton Palmer, Stockport's manager, has engrained some of his fighting spirit into County and Pompey can expect a physical encounter this afternoon. For Portsmouth, Prosinecki takes the captain's armband and Rix keeps faith with Carl Tiler in the back three as the Blues look to climb back into play-off contention. Despite Stockport's initial dominance, the first clear chance of the game falls to Peter Crouch. After good, persistent work by Harper on the right, Crouch hits a powerful shot goal-bound only for Jones to produce a magnificent save. Pompey then start to settle into the game, making several half-chances with Prosinecki producing several pieces of magnificent skill. With fifteen minutes gone Pompey clearly are looking the better side. Prosinecki's creative influence is proving a vital factor in Pompey's attacking play, while the back three look firm. Stray balls do haunt Pompey, but they are clearly the better team so far. A poor Ali Gibb free-kick and several corners constitute County's best chances, as Palmer's men play the physical game. Stockport begin to edge their way back into the game as the first-half progresses. This is more due to sloppy play by Pompey rather than Stockport brilliance. However, their persistence in the middle and battling attitude serve them well. On thirty-six minutes, Jones, who has been in inspirational form, produces a magnificent save from Steve Lovell's deflected shot. Just before the break Ellison, Stockport's temperamental number six, gets involved in his third tussle of the game, this time with Peter Crouch. The midfielder amazingly avoids a booking when he clearly shouldn't have. Half-time score: Portsmouth 0 Stockport County 0 SECOND HALF Within 20 seconds of the restart, Stockport have their best chance of the match so far. Kuqi, after seemingly handling the ball, manages to get a shot in at the near post, but Yoshi copes well. The Japanese keeper stands up until the final moment and deflects the shot across goal as Pompey survive this initial scare. Pompey have a succession of chances seven minutes later, two of which fall to Peter Crouch. The first header is wide from a Prosinecki free-kick, while the second goes in after good work from Lovell but is disallowed for off-side. Despite this positive start, the Fratton crowd grow restless, namely with the referee, Quashie and Tiler. This is a second-half filled with errors, misunderstandings and the odd piece of footballing mastery by Prosinecki. A goal, if one does arrive, seems only possible if the Croatian has a central input. This is by no means a classic Pompey display, but they are having the better of the play and anything other than three points will be a disappointment. That said, as is often the case when such predictions are made, Pompey's goal on seventy-five minutes is supplied by Kevin Harper. Crouch connects sweetly with the wing-back's cross from six-yards to slam the ball past Jones. Lovell should have doubled the lead five minutes later, but with only the keeper to beat the striker placed his shot wide of the post. Then, after Stockport's change of Taylor for Briggs, Lovell makes up for his earlier misses by curling the ball past Jones to make it 2-0. The precise finish caps-off an excellent run by the youngster, to give Lovell a goal he deserves after relentless running all afternoon. Pompey are ecstatic and look visibly relieved to attain the two goal cushion. This is followed up by a good Harper blast from twenty yards out and swift attacking play, Rix's men, for the first time this afternoon, appear relaxed and confident on the ball. With three minutes left on the clock, Vincent comes on for a tired looking Courtney Pitt, but the result has already been sealed. Full-time score: Portsmouth 2 Stockport County 0 Portsmouth: Kawaguchi; Tiler; Harper; Prosinecki (capt); Crouch; Quashie; Pitt; Lovell; Primus; Buxton; Barrett Subs: Tardif (gk); Vincent; Hiley; O'Neil; Vine Stockport: Jones; Lescott; Flynn (capt); Delaney; Kuqi; Beckett; Roget; Ellison; Gibb; Clark; Briggs Subs: Turner (gk); Woodthorpe; McSheffrey; Taylor; Palmer Attendance: 13,887 (Portsmouth FC Official Site)