York City 4, Portsmouth 2

THE Pompey Chimes might have been relentless but it was York City who hit all the right notes at Bootham Crescent on Saturday.

Home boss Nigel Worthington saw no reason to ring the changes following the encouraging 1-1 draw at Wycombe, naming the same starting XI in consecutive fixtures for the first time this season and he was rewarded with a breathtaking display.

Wes Fletcher, who began the afternoon perhaps under the most pressure for his place in the team, opened the scoring in front of the outstandingly loyal 1,357 Portsmouth supporters before three minutes had elapsed on the clock.

He also later wrapped up proceedings as the Minstermen scored three times during a devastating nine-minute second-half spell that also saw Lewis Montrose and Ryan Jarvis find the net after Jed Wallace had levelled the scores with a brilliant solo effort.

The visitors did manage a second goal, through substitute John Marquis on 88 minutes, but it was never going to be any more than a consolation for the 2008 FA Cup final winners.

From the first whistle, City had taken the game to their high-profile opponents, who were to suffer their first defeat on the road during 2013/14.

The match also represented the Minstermen’s first win in nine fixtures but, if the team play with the same tempo and attacking intent as they did during this victory, there will surely be many more to follow.

Wingers Ryan Brobbel and Josh Carson have been key factors in the team’s recent improvement with the latter’s enthusiasm proving infectious.

The pair have helped the team evolve since the start of a season which is still only still two months old.

Of the side that kicked off the opening day of the campaign against Northampton, only four outfield players – Lanre Oyebanjo, David McGurk, Ben Davies and Ryan Jarvis – were in Saturday’s first XI.

While not compromising any of the competitive nature Worthington was intent on instilling into his team over the summer, there is now perhaps a little less emphasis on power and physique in exchange for a commitment to display a bit more flair and freedom of expression.

The side certainly look more threatening in front of goal.

This win marked the first occasion City have netted more than twice during Worthington’s 20-match reign and, following a rampant second half, the margin of victory could have been even greater.

The hosts forged ahead with the first attack of the afternoon when Carson’s fiercely-struck 30-yard free-kick was parried by Portsmouth shot-stopper John Sullivan.

Fletcher followed up and, after his first effort was saved by Sullivan, stabbed the ball into a gaping net from a couple of yards.

City, who have conceded within five minutes of scoring on three occasions this term, did not let up after that early breakthrough and Montrose went close with a 25-yard half-volley that dipped narrowly over.

Carson also forced a save from Sullivan from ten yards after a Fletcher lay-off with the visitors limited to only two chances during the whole opening period.

Both fell to veteran former Republic of Ireland international David Connolly.

He hit the roof of the David Longhurst Stand with the first and glanced the second across the face of Michael Ingham’s goal after meeting Marcos Painter’s left-wing cross with his head.

Carson squandered an early second-half opportunity to extend City’s lead when he scuffed a shot wide from eight yards after good work down the left from Brobbel and Jarvis.

That miss looked like it might prove costly when Wallace picked the ball up just inside his own half on 53 minutes before slaloming through the home defence, evading challenges from Elliott Whitehouse, Montrose, McGurk and Dan Parslow and finishing coolly past Ingham when he found himself in the penalty box.

But the Minstermen responded with character and determination, restoring their lead within four minutes after Montrose and Fletcher had already called Sullivan into action twice.

Following his second save, Sullivan went on to drop Carson’s corner on to the heel of Montrose for City’s second goal. On 63 minutes, a rapid counter attack then saw Brobbel wait for precisely the right moment to release Jarvis through the right channel.

The former Norwich forward went on to claim his fifth goal of the season with a low 12-yard drive across Sullivan into the away ’keeper’s bottom right-hand corner.

Three minutes later, Jarvis turned provider, delivering an inviting right-wing cross that Fletcher headed past Sullivan from four yards.

A shell-shocked Pompey could have fallen further behind when Jarvis’ powerful drive was parried by Sullivan and Fletcher could not keep his shot low from the rebound.

Oyebanjo also curled a 20-yard attempt wide but Wallace was in no mood to surrender for Guy Whittingham’s men.

Having seen Ingham tip a 72nd-minute shot over, he went on to raid down the left and deliver a low cross that saw Marquis convert from six yards.

City substitute Ryan Bowman should have added to the home scoresheet in injury time but, after charging down a clearance from the hapless Sullivan, he failed to control the ball in front of an empty goal.

It mattered little, though, as City’s jubilant supporters celebrated an absorbing and pulsating performance from their team at the final whistle.

 

Match facts

York City

Michael Ingham 7 - beaten well by both goals but made a fine save from Wallace and reliable throughout

Lanre Oyebanjo 7 - defended with discipline and made that his first priority limiting his forages forward

David McGurk 7 - kept a calm head when Pompey threatened and made typically timely interceptions

Dan Parslow 7 - influential in ensuring that Pompey pair Connolly and Agyemang endured a frustrating afternoon

Ben Davies 7 - rarely beaten down his flank and used the ball sensibly when in possession

Josh Carson 9 - busy and energetic from the first whistle and set the tone for a determined team display

Lewis Montrose 8 - demonstrated his long-range shooting ability and reacted quickly to claim his first City goal

Elliott Whitehouse 7 - never stopped running and working for the side, allowing the wide players to wreak their havoc on the flanks

Ryan Brobbel 8 - a threat in open play and at set-pieces and Portsmouth struggled to contain him

Ryan Jarvis 8 - two moments of genuine quality as he claimed an assist and a goal to turn a 2-1 advantage into an unassailable lead

Wes Fletcher 9 - STAR MAN - highlighted his goal poaching instinct twice but also impressive holding the ball up with his back to goal

Subs: Tom Platt (for Montrose, 74), Sander Puri (for Brobbel, 80), Ryan Bowman (for Fletcher, 81). Not used: Chris Kettings, Chris Smith, Ashley Chambers, Jamal Fyfield.

Portsmouth: John Sullivan, Danny East, Sonny Bradley, Bondz N'Gala, Marcos Painter (Ricky Holmes, 70), Andy Barcham, Johnny Ertl, Simon Ferry (Romain Padovani, 16), Jed Wallace, Patrick Agyemang (John Marquis, 64), David Connolly. Subs not used: Phil Smith, Tom Craddock, Dan Butler, Jack Whatmough.

Portsmouth star man: Wallace - scored a brilliant goal and always looked a threat

Booked: Montrose 26, Oyebanjo 50, Wallace 51, Painter 59, N'Gala 82, Whitehouse 89.

Attendance: 4,848 (1,357 from Portsmouth).

Referee: Mark Heywood (Northwich).

Rating: 7/10 - decisive and close to the action at all times.

Shots on target: City 11, Portsmouth 3

Shots off target: City 7, Portsmouth 3

Corners: City 7, Portsmouth 5

Fouls conceded: City 12, Portsmouth 20

Offsides: City 2, Portsmouth 1