Town merely deepen the sense of despair gripping Fratton Park as Chopra’s latest strike keeps the boys heading north

Alf set out very early to take in the Royal Navy dockyard tour, HMS Victory and Warrior, before making the tortuous rush hour crawl through Portsmouth’s mystifying one way system to Fratton Park.

But it was worth it. Town produced an excellent performance against a cash-strapped, but star-studded Pompey line-up.

Armed with stats from the dockyard tour such as eight out of ten bananas are unloaded in Portsmouth and the latest D class destroyers can simultaneously track 10,000 golf ball sized objects travelling at 3000 mph from wave height to the edge of space (handy in the event of another golf war).

Alf noted that match referee Mr Darren Deadman was statistically likely to break the 150 yellow cards barrier during the course of the evening. Mr Deadman was consistent in the number of cards that he waved, but inconsistent in what he waved them for.

He cautioned petty offences early in the game, but took no action towards the end when frustrated Portsmouth players became particularly nasty and reckless in their challenges.

Town players looked in good spirits right from the pre-match warm up and they continued to show that they are currently enjoying their football as they took the game to Pompey right from the kick-off creating a string of good efforts on goal inside the first ten minutes.

It looked inevitable that Town’s pressure would lead to a goal and Michael Chopra soon obliged.

Town’s goal roused Pompey and they began to claw their way back into the game. Town’s slick passing gave way to too many over ambitious long balls, but credit to Town’s jittery defence, they held firm.

Town’s 550 travelling fans breathed a collective sigh of relief at the half-time whistle glad that their team had clung on to their lead but in equal measure mystified as to why they hadn’t managed to extend it.

After a half-time marriage proposal during which joker Jimmy Bullard attempted to deliver a 60-yard ball bouquet to the happy couple it was Pompey who took control.

In response, every Pompey stood and started up a chant that continued uninterrupted through to the end of the game and for at least a half an hour after. Impressive!

The chanting in protest against their club going into administration demonstrated how loyal and passionate fans can be and how clubs simply could not exist without that loyal support. A point that I hope was noted by those who hold high office at IP1…

The noise in Fratton Park created an intimidating atmosphere, but Town’s young guns were unphased. They dealt with all that Portsmouth could throw at them and created several more golden opportunities to sew the match up and in the words of Alf’s Victory tour guide ‘apply the snitch stitch’ to proceedings.

Hanging on to a one goal lead is never easy. Pompey had a throw at a seemingly safe distance, but up stepped long throw specialist Greg Halford to launch his throw an incredible distance. The net bulged, Pompey fans went mad.

Alf and Mr Deadman were clearly unsighted. Alf thought the ball had gone straight in without a touch, Mr Deadman agreed and awarded a goal-kick. However 14,000 better placed Portsmouth fans and 11 Portsmouth players clearly saw the ball take a deflection off JET’s knee.

Result – utter chaos.

For once it was a decision that went Town’s way, but they had earned it. Moments later a post stood in the way of Lee Martin’s effort so it was a case of swings and roundabouts.

Two Victories for Alf in one day – not bad eh?