,
PORTSMOUTH 1 CITY 2
,
Canon League 2nd Division
,
10th September 1983
.
attendance 18,852
.
Scorers
City Parlane(43), Tolmie(36 pen)
Portsmouth Morgan(27)
City Parlane(43), Tolmie(36 pen)
Portsmouth Morgan(27)
.
Ref Dan Vickers
,
City Williams, Ranson, Davies, Bond, Power, Caton, May, Reid, Parlane, Baker, Tolmie – sub Davidson(unused)
.
Portsmouth Knight, Ellis, Money, Doyle, Tait, Aizlewood, Webb, Dillon, Morgan, Biley, Rogers – sub Thomas
.
FROM THE PRESS BOX
.
.
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 12TH SEPTEMBER 1983
Manchester City have consolidated when they could so easily have crashed.
Second Division stability has been achieved at the outset of a season where the pitfalls were numerous.
… It’s perhaps too early to suggest City can sustain the pace, although the current situation provides hope that they can.
A patched up side without two influential midfield men, and with three others far from 100% fit hung on grittily for Saturday’s 2-1 win over Portsmouth ar Fratton Park.
More important, the Bues finally found a few breaks going their way in a game where they tenaciously fought back from being a goal down after 17 minutes.
With better finishing by a sprightly Pompey that margin could have been wider before the controversial penalty which turned the tide City’s way.
Andy May’s cross was handled by Mick Tait, although it was an offence many referees might have ignored.
Dan Vickers, however, had no hesitation and Jim Tolmie’s fourth goal of te season hoisted the Blues right back into the hunt.
When Derek Parlane put them ahead two minutes from the break with his third in five games, it was virtually all over.
Portsmouth huffed and puffed through the second half but never again looked like scoring.
Kevin Bond and Tommy Caton, bravely battling on despite knocks that had made them doubts right until the kick-off, effectively plugged the middle.
However, it was the tank like figure of Nicky Reid who really stole the defensive honours as City held on for their deserved success.
The absence of Asa Hartford and Neil McNab from midfield had to be felt and once they resume, City could have a significant role to play in the promotion outcome.
Tolmie, too is struggling with illness as well as injury but with a week to go before the Maine Road visit of Blackburn, City have time on their side.
Parlane’s eye for the half chance again provided an essential difference between teams from two different divisions llast season.
He turned sweetly to again hit a vital winner, and his ability to share the scoring responsibility should help ease Tolmie’s role as the key marksman.
Manchester City have consolidated when they could so easily have crashed.
Second Division stability has been achieved at the outset of a season where the pitfalls were numerous.
… It’s perhaps too early to suggest City can sustain the pace, although the current situation provides hope that they can.
A patched up side without two influential midfield men, and with three others far from 100% fit hung on grittily for Saturday’s 2-1 win over Portsmouth ar Fratton Park.
More important, the Bues finally found a few breaks going their way in a game where they tenaciously fought back from being a goal down after 17 minutes.
With better finishing by a sprightly Pompey that margin could have been wider before the controversial penalty which turned the tide City’s way.
Andy May’s cross was handled by Mick Tait, although it was an offence many referees might have ignored.
Dan Vickers, however, had no hesitation and Jim Tolmie’s fourth goal of te season hoisted the Blues right back into the hunt.
When Derek Parlane put them ahead two minutes from the break with his third in five games, it was virtually all over.
Portsmouth huffed and puffed through the second half but never again looked like scoring.
Kevin Bond and Tommy Caton, bravely battling on despite knocks that had made them doubts right until the kick-off, effectively plugged the middle.
However, it was the tank like figure of Nicky Reid who really stole the defensive honours as City held on for their deserved success.
The absence of Asa Hartford and Neil McNab from midfield had to be felt and once they resume, City could have a significant role to play in the promotion outcome.
Tolmie, too is struggling with illness as well as injury but with a week to go before the Maine Road visit of Blackburn, City have time on their side.
Parlane’s eye for the half chance again provided an essential difference between teams from two different divisions llast season.
He turned sweetly to again hit a vital winner, and his ability to share the scoring responsibility should help ease Tolmie’s role as the key marksman.