Hero Simon’s salute to nan
KEEPER’S SHOOT-OUT SPARK
SIMON EASTWOOD was inspired by a cardboard cut-out of his late grandmother as his penalty save took Oxford toWembley.
As Portsmouth suffered League One play-off semi-final heartbreak for the second year running, Eastwood’s sprawling stop proved decisive.
With the shoot-out deadlocked at 3-3, Pompey midfielder Cameron McGeehan blinked first with Eastwood plunging low to his right to make the critical save.
After Cameron Brannagan buried the winning penalty, Eastwood revealed a familiar face was among the 1,500 cut-out fans behind the goal.
He said: “A couple of the lads have cardboard cut-out members of their families here – my gran passed away over Christmas and she was among them.Was I thinking about her during the shoot-out? Yes, and it was a bit weird as I’ve never been involved in anything like that, but I like to think she was looking down on me.”
The first goal came after 38 minutes when Marcus Harness’ 20-yard shot slipped through Elliott Moore’s legs and past the unsighted Oxford goalkeeper — but just as Portsmouth’s lead in the first leg was short-lived, their advantage lasted just 10 minutes.
Ellis Harrison and goalkeeper Alex Bass crossed wires trying to clear James Henry’s swirling corner, the Pompey forward debited with an own goal as referee Darren England’s watch buzzed to signal the ball had just crossed the line.
Pompey manager Kenny Jackett said: “We never gave up, we played with heart and spirit and it’s tough to take. Next year we need to raise the standard again and go one better.” OXFORD (4-3-3): Eastwood 6; Long 6 (Woodburn, 120), Dickie 8, Moore 6, Ruffels 7; Henry 7 (Forde, 100), Gorrin 6 (Mousinho, 120), Brannagan 6; Sykes 6 (Hanson, 86), Mackie 5 (Taylor, 63, 7), Browne 6 (Agyei, 86). Goal: Harrison 45 og.
PORTSMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Bass 5; Bolton 7 (Evans, 120), Burgess 8, Raggett 8, Seddon 6 (Brown, 60, 6); Morris 6, McGeehan 6; Williams 6 (Hawkins, 114), Harness 6 (Cannon, 81), Curtis 6; Harrison 7 (Marquis, 60, 6). Goal: Harness 38.