AWFORD UNFAZED BY LACK OF GOALS
PORTSMOUTH boss Andy Awford believes someone is going to get a tonking from his side in the coming weeks as they failed to capitalise on a host of chances to register their third draw in as many games in a stalemate against lowly York City.
After last weekend's draw against bottom club Hartlepool, Pompey failed to find the back of the net for a second straight week on the road.
But Awford chose to focus on the positives after the game, adamant that once they do find their shooting boots they will give someone a real beating.
“I'm absolutely delighted with the performance, I thought we were really good," Awford said. "We controlled the game for long spells and we saw off any spell of pressure they threw at us.
“We’re just missing that goal, and when we get one, we'll probably go on and get two or three.
“The amount of chances we’re creating in games makes it frustrating that we can’t take one or two of them. But as long as we continue to play that way, nobody can grumble.
“We need one of those horrible goals, just one where it goes in off the backside of someone – that's what it might take.”
The first half was completely dominated by Pompey, who really should have gone ahead when a smart corner found its way to James Dunne, but he could only fire over despite being under no pressure. Striker Craig Westcarr had another glorious opportunity to break the deadlock, but he headed over as Pompey’s woes continued in front of goal.
York grew in confidence and stature after the break, and a fine ball from substitute Lindon Meikle found fellow replacement Jake Hyde, and he forced a superb save from Paul Jones in the Portsmouth goal to keep it scoreless.
Pompey’s Jed Wallace then had a giltedged chance to break the deadlock, but he could only fire straight at York goalkeeper Michael Ingham.
York’s Ryan Brunt then wasted a glorious opportunity to round off a good debut with a goal.
After John McCombe headed back across goal, Brunt found himself unmarked in the sixyard box but could only head wide.
It finished goalless and York boss Nigel Worthington declared himself pleased with his team’s result, despite them hovering perilously above the League Two drop zone.
“I’m very pleased with the performance, that was us getting back to how we should be playing,” Worthington said.
“The ball was a bit like a hot potato for both teams in the first half, and losing Michael Coulson and Wes Fletcher threw a bit of a spanner in the works for us.
“These are the challenges you have to deal with though in this game.
“In the second half we really pushed them back and created a lot more. They could have won it, and we could have won it too – and the big man had a header at the end that could have capped off a perfect debut.”