Due to adverse conditions on the South Coast, Fulham’s scheduled away trip to Portsmouth was transferred to Motspur Park in a bid to ensure the fixture was played. A dominant Fulham side created chance after chance against Pompey, but could not find the cutting edge to collect the three points they deserved. It was a frustrating day for the Whites as they looked for that little piece of luck, sharp shooting, or moment of inspiration, but it was not forthcoming.
The game could not have got off to a more exasperating start as the home side conceded via an own goal. A low ball played in from the wing deflected off the shin of Ashley Thompson who diverted the ball past his own keeper. It was all the more annoying for the fact that the Whites defence, like so many times during the season to date, had looked very solid.
Despite the early setback, it didn’t take long for Fulham to get back into the game. As the Whites gained more possession, there was a significant rise in confidence on the ball and it was passed around with authority. Matt Saunders and Luca Moscatiello were pulling the strings in central midfield.
As the belief grew, the threat on the Portsmouth goal increased too. Michael Uwezu and Lewis Smith posed a constant threat and a drive by Uwezu clipped the Pompey crossbar.
When the goal did eventually come, not only was it deserved, but it also came from an unlikely source. Left-back Joe Anderson played a neat one-two on the edge of the area, before lashing an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net to bring the scores level.
Reflecting on the game, Head of Youth, John Murtough, explained that the game demonstrated a similar problem as has been experienced previously this season; finishing chances when they present themselves. “We had lost to this side twice already this season, so perhaps you might think that this is a good result,” he explained. “But with the amount of possession and chances on goal that we have created, we can’t help but be slightly disappointed to come away from this game with just one point.
“It is something that Gary and his coaches have been working on with the lads this week and needless to say, the fact that they’re creating the chances is encouraging, we just have to now find that bit of class in front of goal.”
Fulham: Foderingham; Laribi, Thompson, Briggs, Anderson; Moscatiello, Hall, Saunders, Wilson; Smith, Uwezu.