Lincoln City headed down to the Southcoast for their first away game of the season, where they had to settle for a 0-0 draw. Portsmouth went close several times but a well organised back four and some great saves from Carl Rushworth stopped the hosts from getting ahead.
The Imps saw familiar faces amongst the Pompey team as ex-managers Danny and his assistant Nicky Cowley are in charge at Fratton Park. There was also FA cup hero Sean Raggett captaining their side and last year’s on-loan Imps goalkeeper, Josh Griffiths, starting for Portsmouth.
Danny Cowley was full of praise for his old team. He said: “They were much fitter and a lot more resilient than they were last year”.
Lincoln made one change from last week’s starting 11 as Ted Bishop came in for Anthony Scully who was not in the matchday squad due to illness.
Kick Off
Portsmouth started the game very brightly, having success getting crosses into the box. Only an acrobatic Regan Poole clearance denied the home side an opener.
Michael Jacobs tried his luck from the edge of the box in the 18th minute with a speculative half-volley, which Rushworth collected well.
The Imps had very few chances but Lasse Sørensen, who produced a quick turn of pace, had a shot blocked from distance by the Pompey defence.
A rejuvenated Max Sanders picked up the Imps’ second yellow card of the season after bringing down Jacobs to bring a halt to a Portsmouth attack.
Joe Piggots’ subsequent curling free kick was the closest Portsmouth had come to scoring, with Rushworth at full stretch to deny the Ipswich loanee.
On the brink of half-time Portsmouth had a golden chance to put themselves ahead with Bishop leaving an incoming cross from the left for Reeco Hackett, whose first shot was blocked by Poole, before his follow-up was struck over the bar.
Half-Time – Portsmouth 0-0 Lincoln City
Josh Griffiths started the second half very shakily for Portsmouth with several miss-kicks and poor communication. A back pass header from Michael Morrison to Griffiths lead to a City corner.
Substitute Adam Jackson, who came on for Paudie O’Connor, met the corner with his head only to hit the side-netting. Leading some Lincoln fans in the away end to cheer, believing it had gone in.
Dane Scarlett, a young prodigy on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, came on for the hosts and went close, forcing an excellent recovery save from Rushworth.
The rest of the half was relatively scrappy from both sets of players and some home fans left early. Clearly frustrated with the performance from their side.
Full Time: Portsmouth 0-0 Lincoln City
Mark Kennedy described his players as “outstanding” and said at full time: “Everybody has played their part and it was a very mature performance”.
These were the sort of games Lincoln would have lost last year. Whilst it is two draws so far for Kennedy, the improvement is clear.
Next up for the Imps is the Carabao Cup action as they travel to Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday evening.