Portsmouth 1(0) - 2(1) Queens Park Rangers
7:45pm 23rd August 1996
Nationwide League Division One

Portsmouth Flahavan, Pethick, Lee Russell, McLoughlin, Butters, Awford, Carter (Igoe 45), Simpson, Burton, Hall, Allen
Subs not used: Bradbury, Waterman
Goals: Igoe 76
Booked:  
Sent Off:  
Queens Park Rangers Sommer, Jackson, Brevett, Barker, McDonald, Yates, Impey (Murray, 77), Wilkins, Dichio, Gallen (Maddix, 78), Sinclair
Subs not used: Roberts
Goals: Gallen 7, 77
Booked: Brevett, Wilkins
Sent Off:  
Attendance: 7,501
Referee: A N Butler (Sutton-in-Ashfield)
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Report by Ben Davis

So, Pompey have now played two lost two in the league but again they showed promise even though they were up against one of the division favourites QPR. Martin Allen returned which meant Igoe had to drop down to the subs bench. QPR included their dreadlocks star Trevor Sinclair who is currently being chased by a number of premiership clubs.
Pompey got off to a bad start when they gave away a goal after six minutes. It was QPR's first real attack and when Gallen's first effort hit Butters he gratefully received the rebound and smashed it in past a helpless Flahaven. QPR at this point were looking the better team although it was the way Pompey had set their team up which wasn't helping them. They played five at the back with two wing-backs, but Ray Wilkins, having watched Pompey in midweek, decided to play three up front to keep Pompey's defenders under pressure and so Pompey also lost out in midfield. Fenwick then changed to four at the back to stop QPR putting pressure on them.
Pompey's best efforts came from Carter with his trickery on the right being Pompey's main outlet. He drove one effort over after a neat move and whipped a chance across the goal not long after that. The home side first effort on target came from Allen's header from Carter's cross which Sommer held onto to his right.
QPR had a goal disallowed by Dichio as Impey had already handled, but there was more excitement minutes later when a streaker ran onto the pitch. She finished her show by doing a Jurgen Klinsman style dive in QPR's penalty area.
Before the half started Pompey brought Igoe on for Carter who had hurt his knee during the first half in a collision with Brevett. QPR though still looked comfortable and could have extended their lead when Dichio met a cross with a right-foot volley which Flahaven saved brilliantly down to his right.
Lee Russell then got out of his left-back position and almost got Pompey level. McLoughlin's free-kick was cleared very well by Dichio and it fell invitingly to Russell to score a rare goal but he hit the shot wide when he should have at least hit the target.
McLoughlin then went close as he tried to chip Sommer after Simpson had set him up. QPR though went up the other end where that man Pethick superbly time a tackle on Sinclair in Pompey's area.
Then Pompey scored the equalizer, but sadly it only lasted for a minute as QPR retook the lead. Allen pumped a ball forward where it disappointingly found no blue shirt and instead Impey controlled the ball. However as he dwelled Igoe pounced and raced clear to round Sommer and score.
Pompey though were still celebrating when Sinclair weaved his stuff at the other end. He worked the ball past Russell and Awford to the by-line where he put in a low cross which Gallen nicely flicked into the far corner. Gallen though smacked into the near post and had to be carried off on a stretcher.
Pompey then laid siege on QPR's goal but they stood firm and got the win which put them top for the night and after Saturday's results, Pompey bottom.
I'm quite certain that Pompey won't be there come the end of the season or in the relegation zone as they have shown that they will make teams sweat this season with their composed passing. They should get their first win at home to Southend on Tuesday as the Shrimpers got thrashed 5-0 at Oxford.