Season coasting to close in entertaining draw

Swansea came to Fratton with high hopes of three points as they chased down Norwich in second spot, Pompey though were up for a bit of a scrap in front of their fans, the match was one of those bizarre ones, no goals, little goal mouth action to be fair, but entertaining nonetheless.

Pompey were without Liam Lawrence once more, he suffered some sort of set back in training on Friday, this allowed Mullins to slot straight back in along with Carl Dickinson in a more forward role.

Pompey started as though they really meant business, a corner from Mullins was met by Mokoena from 6 yards out, he should really of done better though as he nodded wide with de Vries nowhere. Nugent was looking very lively and fizzed one effort wide from 25 yards and then chased down a weak back pass, de Vries tried to clear but thumped his launch straight into the onrushing Pompey man, the ball though deflected narrowly wide and his efforts were not rewarded.

Pompey then lost Ron Weasley to what looked like a rib injury, he was battling for possession in the Swansea box when he pulled up sharply holding his lower chest, if it is a bust rib his season is over.

Hermann Hreidarsson was next to have a go at goal, Halford sent in one of his long throws and captain for the day rose to head over the bar, Swansea had offered little going forward, Dyer was their most lively player, he was trying to make things happen but no end product, he was also getting a 'warm' reception after his indiscretions as a scum player when on a night out in Pompey a few years back.

The second half was to offer little more in goalscoring action, Sinclair had Swansea's first effort of note, not troubling Ashdown though as his shot flew wide, then Hreidarsson actually hit the target for the first time in the match, his header though was never likely to register a goal.

Jonathan Hogg had arguably the best chance of the game, he found himself well placed in front of the Fratton end, but his effort curled well wide, goalscoring is obviously a part of his game that needs serious work!

Kanu had an opportunity that he created himself, his quick feet found him in space but he never pulled the trigger and was snuffed out.

Pompey lost de Laet to injury late in the game, he limped slowly around the redgra track to the dressing room, hopefully not the last time we see him in a Pompey shirt.

Swansea finished the stronger of the two sides, but Ashdown was never really threatened and the game closed out a goaless draw.

One point of note though to remark on, I thought referee Deadman had a solid game after some dodgy refs of late, he waved the yellow card a bit easily but generally he ran the game well and wasn't prepared to fall for the Welsh appeals every time one of their players fell to the floor appealing wildly for a free kick or spot kick.

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