Portsmouth Football Club secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Oxford United on a rainy evening, marking their second away win of the season in the Sky Bet Championship. The match, held at Oxford's home ground, was significantly impacted by a medical emergency in the crowd, leading to a 30-minute suspension in the first half. Despite the interruptions, Portsmouth emerged victorious, ending a disappointing streak of seven consecutive away defeats.
The game commenced with Portsmouth showing early aggression, as they registered the first shot on goal within seconds of kick-off. Josh Murphy tested Oxford's goalkeeper, Jamie Cumming, with a challenging shot skimming along the slick surface. The match continued with frequent stops and starts, impeding the flow of play until the halftime whistle.
In the first half's most dramatic moment, a medical emergency in the stands brought the game to a halt for 30 minutes. Players and fans alike were left anxiously waiting as medical personnel attended to the situation. Once the match resumed, both teams struggled to find rhythm, with Portsmouth missing three clear-cut chances to score.
The second half saw a shift in dynamics. Gary Rowett, Portsmouth's manager, made a strategic triple substitution midway through, which proved pivotal. Stan Mills, one of the substitutes, immediately made his presence felt. He crafted an excellent scoring opportunity just 20 minutes from time, showcasing his impact on the field.
Portsmouth finally broke the deadlock in the 47th minute when Andre Dozzell capitalized on Oxford's failure to clear a corner. His goal provided the much-needed breakthrough for the visitors. Despite relentless pressure from Oxford, Portsmouth's defense held firm.
In the dying moments of the match, Portsmouth sealed their victory with Mark O'Mahony scoring in the sixth minute of stoppage time. His goal confirmed a 2-0 win for Portsmouth and sent their supporters into jubilation.
"I'm delighted with the away win. Obviously the circumstances of the game – and to come out of the week with six points is brilliant. We've just got to keep going."
- Gary Rowett
Gary Rowett expressed his satisfaction with the victory, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum. He praised his team's resilience and ability to adapt under challenging circumstances.
"You've got to take any emotion out of it and treat it as just another game – and another away victory for us. It was a hard-fought victory and a tight one."
- John Mousinho
John Mousinho echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the team's focus and determination in securing the win despite emotional challenges.
Stan Mills continued to impress with his performance, providing a perfect cross in the final minute to Matt Phillips, who narrowly missed heading it into the net. Although Phillips' attempt went over from a promising position, Mills' contributions were instrumental in keeping Oxford on their toes.
This victory not only lifted Portsmouth's spirits but also provided them with a crucial three points as they aim to climb up the league table. The win ended a dismal run of seven straight away defeats, a significant morale booster for both players and fans.
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