Pompey’s Noel on the Hunt for goals
THICK fog may have hindered matters in the goalless draw at Fratton Park on Friday night, but Noel Hunt is confident of finding his shooting boots for Portsmouth sooner rather than later.
Former Reading striker Hunt has had to bide his time since arriving on the south coast in the summer, with the Blues’ game with Yeovil just his second league start.
Despite fashioning a handful of chances, he was unable to add to his single goal this season although the 34-year-old conceded the weather conditions had not helped matters.
“It was a strong performance from all of us, but maybe I was disappointed not to get a couple of chances on goal,” he said.
“There were a couple of crosses which were either high or low but they will come, and, once I get near them, I’ll score.
“I played in one game like that which was called off at half-time once. That was similar. It was interesting but it was about us and the way we stayed together.
“You can’t let the conditions affect you. You have to focus on the game and get about it. It’s bad for both teams.
“It was a guessing game being in the box. All of a sudden a ball was launched from downfield.
“For crosses it was particularly difficult because the fog is thick.
“You only saw the ball the last 10 or 15 yards so your timing had to be right.”
Yeovil enjoyed a promising start with Ben Whitfield seeing his 30-yard effort sail wide before Portsmouth appeared to cope with the worsening fog conditions better.
Artur Krysiak had to be alert to deny Kal Naismith and Hunt either side of Michael Smith’s header off target.
The second half saw mainly shots from distance from Portsmouth while Krysiak saved Hunt’s halfvolley from the edge of the box.
However the Glovers almost snatched all three points late on with Otis Khan beating David Forde only to see his shot cannon off the crossbar. Midfielder Alex Lawless said: “It’s a mixed bag of feelings.
“Looking at the positives it’s definitely a point gained but based on the fact we hit the bar and we gave a promotion-pushing team a good go and that’s a statement of our intent.
“We’re putting the work in. The application and the determination is there and if we keep knocking on the door it’ll be bar and in next time.
“As the season goes on we’re gradually getting more belief which is going to put us in good stead.”