THE CLASS OF 2021

(Even though Salford won the 2020 Final !)

PORTSMOUTH were outclassed in front of the Class of ’92 as Salford celebrated their first trophy in the big time.

Co-owners Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville were at Wembley to watch the Ammies deservedly pip Pompey via a penalty shoot-out.

This was last year’s Papa John’s Trophy of course – Covid-19 caused a delay of almost a year – and Salford will have to hand it over to Sunderland or Tranmere later today.

Ammies boss Richie Wellens described it beforehand as a hindrance to his side’s League Two promotion hopes. But as hindrances go it was one of the best, with Jason

Lowe slamming home the deciding spot-kick.

Wellens wasn’t even boss when Salford booked their place in the final all those months ago.

And he made sure

Graham Alexander, who he replaced in November, and the players who moved on, got some credit.

He said: “Without them we wouldn’t be here. I spoke about it being a hindrance but it was more the timing of the game – I’m hoping to use it as a springboard now. We deserved to win.”

Defeat was a huge setback for Pompey boss Kenny Jackett, who has lost the faith of many fans.

Pompey were the holders having won in 2019 but now face promotion rivals Peterborough and Ipswich in dismal form.

Jackett said: “We have an opportunity now in some very big games and we have to take it.

“Nobody wants to come to Wembley and lose. By half-time the only good thing we could say is that the game was 0-0. We fought back but you have to put the ball in the net.”

Pompey had keeper Craig Macgillivray to thank for avoiding a thrashing. James Wilson twice forced him into early saves,

Brandon Thomas-asante was then denied twice, and Jordan Turnbull also foiled.

Jackett made a triple change at the break – and newcomer Ronan Curtis soon forced Vaclav Hladky (below) into his first stop.

Macgillivray pulled off his best save in the 66th minute. Skipper Ash Eastham met a free-kick from point-blank range but somehow he stuck out an arm to block.

Curtis missed another decent Pompey chance, as did substitute Lee Brown, but Macgillivray had to get the better of sub Bruno Andrade to keep the tie alive.

In extra time Hladky made a great save from Ryan Williams before sub Mani Dieseruvwe smacked a post for Salford.

Williams and Curtis fluffed Pompey’s first two spot-kicks to set the stage for Lowe to clinch it.