Portsmouth eased to victory at Maidenhead in the FA Cup
LEAGUE One leaders Portsmouth had no issues in seeing off their part-time opposition and ease into the second round.
On what could have been an awkward afternoon for the 2008 FA Cup winners, Kenny Jackett’s side put in a professional performance to beat a battling Maidenhead side.
Ben Thompson gave Pompey the lead just before half-time and then two quick goals from Oli Hawkins and Jamal Lowe effectively ended the tie, before sub David Wheeler bagged a late fourth.
“We made sure they came down the slope in the first-half and we came through that,” said Jackett. “I’m pleased with the amount of chances we created and we could have got more.
“The goal before half-time gave us a great platform second half, going down the slope, and with them being a parttime side our fitness told.
“We’ve talked about being in good positions in games and going away from teams. It’s not as easy as you think but we did that today. At half-time, we’ve been there many times in the league, we spoke about certain things we wanted to do and build on what we’ve done.
“It’s job done. A potentially tricky tie is overcome.”
Jackett paid the ultimate respect to Alan Devonshire’s side by making just one change to his team that beat Bradford last weekend.
Tom Naylor saw an early shot for the visitors deflected behind before Maidenhead’s Ryan Upward dragged wide.
Stylish Pompey should have then led when Gareth Evans’ close range volley was well parried by keeper Carl Pentney and Naylor could only turn the rebound against the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.
Maidenhead gave as good as they got in the first-half and Ayo Obileye was unfortunate to see his shot cannon back off the post after controlling well in the area.
Nathan Thompson had an effort saved by Pentney at his near post while Maidenhead continued to pose a threat, as Remy Clerima’s shot-cum-cross drifted narrowly wide.
The hosts deserved to be level at halftime, but midfielder Ben Thompson made sure they weren’t when he arrived unmarked in the area and turned in Ronan Curtis’ cross from the left.
Just 10 minutes after half-time the tie was effectively over when Evans’ delivery from the byline was headed in by former Dagenham striker Hawkins.
Lowe made sure Portsmouth would have a stress-free route into the second round as he swivelled and found the bottom corner.
Wheeler completed the rout seven minutes from time by heading in the rebound after Pentney parried parried Lee Brown’s free-kick.
“We needed to get to half-time,” said Devonshire. “Once the second one went in, the confidence just drained away.”