DOUR DRAW DOES LITTLE FOR POMPEY
Hosts falter, but in-form Tykes push on
BARNSLEY manager Daniel Stendel hailed ‘outstanding’ goalkeeper Adam Davies after his penalty save extended the Tykes’ unbeaten run to 14 matches.
Davies’ dramatic second-half stop to deny Omar Bogle put another dent in stuttering Pompey’s hopes in the battle of the promotion chasers.
Stendel was delighted with Davies’ performance and believes the point maintains Barnsley’s momentum as they chase a return to the Championship.
Stendel said: “I think it was a hard game, but both teams wanted to win. We should have created more chances, especially in the second half.
“We had a lot of pressure on our goal, it was not too easy.
“With the penalty we were very happy that our goalkeeper could save us. It was a great performance from Adam Davies.
“I think it was the same level for both teams, both teams had chances, we had the biggest chances after the penalty.
“I think for both teams one point is ok, even more so for us, we can keep the gap and we’re happy with this point.
“We’re very satisfied with Adam Davies’ performance and it’s important that he is there when we need him.
“We have very good players for all positions, as well as our goalkeeper, and he helped us to stay in the game.”
Portsmouth have now drawn their last five games as their promotion dreams continue to fade, but manager Kenny Jackett was not too disappointed with the re-
sult, and said he could take positives from the performance.
Jackett said: “That is five draws on the spin now for us, it’s slightly frustrating for us, we wanted to pull Barnsley back, so it was a good performance, nip and tuck first half, with just a couple of half chances really.
“Their keeper made an excellent save from the spot but, to be fair, they were threatening well in the second half.
“We got on top and couldn’t find either the final ball or the goal or ultimately the right strike. Their captain Davis was excellent in their goal and we have to praise him for that.
“I felt we had the better passing game, which has been our game this year, so performances are creeping up. I do feel and they have to continue to do that because with 12 games left we’re all looking for that spring finish to end the season strongly.
“In spells lately where we’ve looked a little bit flat, we’ve looked slack in energy, we haven’t been able to get the passes right I don’t think in terms of combinations of short balls to get to our key danger men.”
The game was far from a classic with both promotionchasing teams struggling to carve out many real clear-cut chances.
Pompey almost took the lead in the 21st minute as Solomon-Otabor’s whipped cross from the left was met by Bryn Morris, but his header went the wrong side of a post.
Cameran McGeehan came close to putting Barnsley ahead in the 36th minute but the midfielder’s top corner attempt from the edge of the area flew over the bar.
In the 60th minute Solomon-Otabor was fouled in the box after some good footwork dazzled defender Dimitri Cavare.
Bogle took the penalty but Davies guessed correctly and he saved down to his right.
The Tykes could have snatched victory with eight minutes remaining, but Alex Mowatt’s corner was met by Jacob Brown and his header was deflected on to the bar.