Portsmouth boss Jackett takes his hat off to Close

Posted Sunday, August 11, 2019 by PA

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett hailed Ben Close’s wonder-strike as his side beat Tranmere 2-0 to pick up their first league win of the season.

Close scored a stunning 30-yard volley days after netting from a similar range against Birmingham in the EFL Cup.

Jackett said: “It was a great goal, the goalkeeper made a couple of excellent saves but Ben hit it really true and it was a great finish into the top corner which set us on our way.

“I’m pleased with the first win; it’s been a good week for us with the League Cup win in the week. It was a solid performance but I feel there is more to come from the side as well.

“Up until the second goal we looked a little frustrated and there was frustration in the stadium, but the second goal settled it down very well.”

Close opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a thumping strike after Tranmere had only half-cleared a corner.

Tom Naylor’s close-range effort 15 minutes from time sealed the victory in front of more than 18,000 at Fratton Park.

Among the crowd was Hollywood actor Will Ferrell, a guest of Pompey’s American owners.

Jackett said: “I did meet Will Ferrell, he came into the dressing room and there was a lot of banter between himself and the team which was good-natured and genuinely funny.

“He said to the lads he thought they were offside too much. He’s a big, big star and we all got a photo with him and it’s terrific and good to see him here.”

Tranmere’s best chance came when Manny Monthe headed wide when unmarked at a corner, while Kieron Morris also forced a save from home goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray.

Rovers manager Micky Mellon said: “I’m disappointed to lose the game, we didn’t come just to take part.

“There were moments when we looked all right and passed it around well. There’s got to be a consistency from our performance over the course of the game.

“We lost the first goal and that’s a cracker, that’s some strike.

“Any opportunities we had to get into their final third we needed to have more composure and a little more quality.

“At times we showed signs and good moments but let ourselves down with a final pass or getting into a dangerous area or a corner.

“We know the difference in resources between the two clubs but we are here to give a good account of ourselves and prove ourselves when we come to places like this.”