‘Job done’ – Portsmouth return to winning ways with battling win over Shrewsbury - 7M sport

‘Job done’ – Portsmouth return to winning ways with battling win over Shrewsbury



Posted Sunday, February 16, 2020 by PA

‘Job done’ – Portsmouth return to winning ways with battling win over Shrewsbury

Portsmouth got their bid for automatic promotion back on track with a hard-fought 2-0 victory at home to Shrewsbury.

Second-half goals from Ellis Harrison and substitute John Marquis ensured Kenny Jackett’s side bounced back from Tuesday’s defeat at Coventry, which ended their club record nine-match winning run.

Jackett’s assistant manager Joe Gallen said: “It was job done. That is a good way of putting it because of the conditions and the wind.

“It was a tough opponent in Shrewsbury, who came with a good defensive set-up and a big back five. We had to work really hard to break them down.

“It was a very good performance from the team overall because with the size and power of their team they were very dangerous from any set-piece.

“We have got a very good squad and the ability to grind our results is a great ability because playing in the winter is not nice.

“We are coming off the back of a hectic Christmas and January schedule so at times it won’t be pretty.”

The wet and blustery conditions ruined the first half as a spectacle and clear scoring chances were at a premium.

Portsmouth goalkeeper Alex Bass made a good save to deny on-loan Conor McAleny while Harrison also blazed over for the hosts

Shrewsbury had the better of the early stages of the second half with Sean Goss firing inches wide with a 25-yard free-kick and Bass making another smart stop to keep out McAleny’s powerful drive.

Pompey took to the lead 19 minutes into the second half with a bullet header from Harrison from substitute Ross McCrorie’s cross to move into double figures for the season.

Marquis sealed the points eight minutes from time with his 12th goal of the campaign, finishing neatly after being played clean through by Marcus Harness.

Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts said: “I asked the players for a lot today and for the vast majority of the game they gave it.

“Whoever got the first goal was going to go on and win the game.

“We had really good opportunities to get that first goal but we couldn’t get it and Portsmouth did.

“The difference between the two sides was only a small amount. My frustration would be that we didn’t hit the target enough.

“We gave Portsmouth a good game today and were far more like ourselves previous to Christmas.

“They used their experience to see the game out and made the game easy for themselves with the second goal.

“This week now is a big week for us with recuperation and training time. The players never stop trying, their effort and endeavour is excellent.”

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