Fratton Park: Portsmouth 3-2 MK Dons

Portsmouth 3-2 MK Dons

For our random choice of festive football, myself (Ross) and my friends ventured down to the south coast to see 2008 FA Cup Winners, Portsmouth, take on MK Dons in the second round of the world's oldest cup competition. We set off at around 7.30am making our way down the A447 through Hinckley getting on the M69 through to the M40 before bypassing Oxford on the A34, reaching the M3 and then heading eastbound on the M27 towards Portsmouth. We parked the car at the Ibis Budget Hotel which is just a stone's throw away from Fratton Park where we would be staying that night before making our way to the Good Companion pub for a few early pre-match drinks and lunch. At 1.30pm, we decided to leave the pub and make our way back towards Fratton Park to soak up the pre-match. Apart from the Fratton End being completely rebuilt, the rest of the ground has seen minimal change. Along either side of the pitch are the North and South stands, both of which are two-tiered. The Main Stand was designed by football architect Archibald Leitch, whose company also built an ornate pavilion (similar to Craven Cottage) complete with clocktower. However, these were largely removed with the expansion of the ground. In the 1930s the stadium was further developed with the building of the North Stand, which is still in use today. In 1997, the Fratton End, the home of Pompey’s noisiest section of fans, was rebuilt and is now the largest and most modern stand, at the ground's western end. At the eastern end is the Milton End, by far the smallest stand. Formerly the only roofless stand in the Premier League, a roof was added before the 2007/08 season. The original entrance to the Fratton End is notable for its mock Tudor façade. Following the arrival of former owner Alexandre Gaydamak several renovations were made to Fratton Park, including improved dressing rooms, the above-mentioned roof over the Milton end and a big-screen above the police box between the North Stand and Milton End. In 2022, Fratton Park began a renovation project which involved the removing of the former floodlight pylons (whilst retaining one of them to be used in the club car park), re-concreting and fitting new seats in the lower terrace of the North Stand, fitting new seats in the lower terrace of the South Stand and repainting the iconic Archibald Leitch truss which stretches across the entire stand. Onto the match and two Colby Bishop penalties was enough to send Portsmouth into the next round of the FA Cup with victory over fellow League One side MK Dons. Pompey dominated the opening 20 minutes however the first goal came against the run of play when Dons forward Darragh Burns got in behind to clip over Josh Griffiths after a quick counter-attack. The lead lasted just three minutes as Reeco Hackett-Fairchild latched on to a stunning Jay Mingi through ball to fire into the bottom corner for his fourth goal of the season. The lively Mingi was hacked down by Josh McEachran in the 35th minute before Bishop sent Jamie Cummings the wrong way to complete the comeback. Early in the second half, Pompey thought they had taken control when Bishop thumped his second penalty of the afternoon down the middle to take his season tally to 13, after Hackett-Fairchild had been taken down by Bradley Johnson to make it 3-1. On 62nd minute, Mo Eisa pulled one back after Conor Grant had squared in the box but the visitors could not force a replay, despite Grant forcing a fine save out of Griffiths in the closing stages. After the match, we made the short walk back to the hotel where we checked in, got changed before making our way out for an evening of drinks in the quays and city centre to round off a good trip to Fratton Park.

Portsmouth 1-1 Mansfield Town
An early start leaving Leicestershire at 7:20am bound for the south coast destination, Fratton Park, via a few stops on the way.
A reasonable journey saw us in the Hampshire town of Basingstoke at 10am and a visit to the bizarrely named Soccer AM Stadium on Western Way the home of Basingstoke Town, at the time of reporting, top of the Conference South.
From there we continued south to another Conference South club. FA Trophy finalists Gosport Borough where we managed to get into their Privett Park ground thanks to a gate which was unlocked!
With lunchtime approaching we had our pre-match meal at ASDA in neighbouring Fareham and on the way out of town called into to Fareham Town who play in the wonderfully named Sydenham Football League (West) Premier Division. Their ground is known as Cams Alders and is behind a sorting office and small industrial buildings on Palmerston Drive.
With time pressing we got back on the M27 and headed around the harbour to Portsmouth. Fratton Park is bested approached from the Portsmouth East junction on the motorway and is clearly signposted such is its importance to the town. With thoughts on a quick drive out of town we parked on Euston Road a 10 minute walk from the stadium and easy access to Eastern Road which is one of two major out of city routes.
Fratton Park is a monument to a bygone era. With many clubs re locating and completely overhauling their stadiums so they are unrecognisable from the past, Fratton Park remains with minimum modernisation. It takes its name from the district it is situated in a bit like Ewood Park Hillsborough and for older readers Roker Park.

Four floodlight pylons stand proud and while there is a new stand built at the Fratton End the rest of the ground sees only minimal change. Along either side of the pitch are the North and South stands, both of which are two-tiered. The Main Stand was designed football architect Archibald Leitch, whose company also built an ornate pavilion (similar to Craven Cottage) complete with clocktower. However, these were largely removed with the expansion of the ground. In the 1930s the stadium was further developed with the building of the North Stand, which is still in use today. In 1997 the Fratton End, the home of Pompey’s noisiest section of fans, was rebuilt and in now the largest and most modern stand, at the ground's western end. At the eastern end is the Milton End, by far the smallest stand. Formerly the only roofless stand in the Premier League, a roof was added before the 2007/08 season. The original entrance to the Fratton End is notable for its mock Tudor façade. Following the arrival of former owner Alexandre Gaydamak several renovations were made to Fratton Park, including improved dressing rooms, the above-mentioned roof over the Milton end and a big-screen above the police box between the North Stand and Milton End.

When Ross started his ground hopping Fratton Park was hosting Premiership football but how fortunes have changed. The FA Cup winners of 2008 and finalists of 2010 have plummeted down the football pyramid. The reason the much publicised financial mismanagement by various chairman combined with instability in the dressing room and maybe some bad advice by a manager or two on player recruitment. Our web site is not one where we debate financial matters but clearly a maverick policy existed with serious consequences. From welcoming the giants of the north west they now welcome, well the giants of north Notts!
Several years ago Portsmouth and Mansfield Town were five divisions apart but with the visitors returning to the Football League in 2013 after a five year absence and Pompey dropping like a stone they find themselves competing against each other in League 2.
Portsmouth seem draw specialists at present so, we suppose, no surprise that the contest finished 1-1!
Both sides employed a 3-5-2 formation or is it 5-3-2? Mansfield arrived on the south coast with injuries and suspensions and the plan to frustrate the home side and quieten the Pompey Chimes amongst the home support which was having the desired effect.
The first half was one of the worst you will ever see, the home sides attacking thrust was easily repelled by the Stags robust defending and their physical presence up front yielded several half chances .
Viewing the game in the North Stand Lower became difficult due to the low sun in the second half. However we had a great view of the opening goal seconds into the second period and it was Mansfield Town that scored it.
A throw in on their left was flicked on by the big striker Matt Rhead the dangerous ex Wigan youngster Bingham seized on the loose ball, squared it to midfielder Simon Heslop who struck an excellent low shot into the far corner past a helpless Paul Jones.
It was just the tonic the game required after the shambolic first 45 minutes and Pompey were getting clearly frustrated, they were failing to create anything and only a bit of luck stopped Mansfield increasing their lead Rakish Bingham a constant menace on the break.
The game changed when Andy Awford made two substitutions on the 70th minute. On came the veteran Patrick Aygemang and the unknown Nigel Atangana. The latter plying his trade with Conference South side, Havant and Waterlooville, last season.
Suddenly there was more pace going forward from the home side and the partisan crowd started to roar, chances were being made and an equaliser scored by centre back Paul Robinson, Mansfield could not clear a set piece, Atangana fired a low centre across the 6 yard box and the former Millwall man couldn't miss 1-1, game on!
The last 15 minutes or so was all Portsmouth as they looked for the winner, Hollands denied when his left foot shot was parried by Mansfield’s Swiss keeper Studer.
Various other half chances not taken as the visitors defended with their lives. Six minutes of stoppage time extended the drama but no dramatic ending.
On the balance of 90 minutes, a draw was a fair result. Mansfield Town will be delighted with their rear guard effort in front of their biggest league gate of the season. Portsmouth? Well, a better last 20 mins when they finally looked dangerous and showed the necessary desire. A pity we had to wait as long as we did though.
Portsmouth fans were excellent creating a good atmosphere, attendances averaging 15,500 which is incredible for League Two football.
There is no doubt this football club will start to rise soon. After all the foreign ownerships, they are now run by a supporters trust and are currently debt free.
It requires a careful sensible approach, forget immediate returns to the Premier League and FA Cup finals, first and foremost make sure this traditional footballing city has a football club, it nearly didn't!
We made our exit from Portsmouth very quickly thanks to our excellent parking and were back on the M27 by 5pm. We headed back to the Midlands using the A34 bypassing Oxford, M40, A43 and M1 home at 8pm and like our recent trip to Griffin Park another enjoyable day at an old fashioned style football stadium.

Fratton Park

Monday, 19 December 2022

Portsmouth 3-2 MK Dons

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