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But it certainly wasn't for the want of trying as the stats suggest: 13 shots v 6; 10 corners v 5 and 50% possession - a Clarets reserve team more than matched their Premiership led opponents. A team consisting of Distin; Utaka; Lauren; Nugent; Benjani, Taylor, Traore, Mendes etc. have and will continue to excel in the Premiership; this was no way a weakened line-up. As for Burnley, our build-up focused on a cup upset and measuring how far we are to the Promised Land. Despite a gallant effort we still are many moons away both on and off the field.
I begin with an apology - for the first 15 minutes I failed to see a ball being kicked after some dreadful planning decisions. Instead, witnessing several hundred fans; 'Python-esque' runaway stewards and one copper and his horse bantering hard to lift the spirits of frustrated fans - this after arriving at approximately 19:35. Hopes were high as we finally entered fortress Turf Moor and reached our seats after climbing those dreaded James Hargreaves steps. An old friend had also returned that day after being at sea for months and this Claret pirate was hopefully bringing mutiny against the Captain Harry's battalion.
In fact, the revolt never really happened and despite several first half chances for both teams the game was played in almost 2nd gear with Burnley never raising the bar high enough. Our first action came when Nugent was given the benefit of the doubt and raced through one-on-one against Hungarian goalkeeper Kiraly. He expertly bluffed Nugent and stood still with hands down looking unconcerned and displaying it as offside, which calmed Nugent and he quickly pounced onto the ball.
Burnley's real chances (from what we saw) came from Alan Mahon's expertly taken corner kicks and should have seen us take the lead. First, it was Captain Caldwell; second, Lafferty had a looping header well saved and AA also headed straight at Ashdown - either side of the keeper and it was a certain goal. In between, Matt Taylor forced a magnificent, low to his left, save by Kiraly from about 12 yards out.
As half-time approached the toilet relief was in desperate need after Pompey's pirates constantly reminded us of their arrival with an old primary school bell that surrendered the ears to some much needed rest. How those fans can sit in close proximity of that is beyond beggar's belief.
It was all to play for in the 2nd half with Burnley more than holding their own and creating time and space to support AA.
Despite a rather timid re-start to this swash-buckling adventure it was the Clarets who created several half-guided opportunities to take the lead. Mahon poorly executed a through-ball pass to Ade before firing over speculatively from 25 yards. Kyle then also tried his luck from distance but went sailing straight into Ashdown's claws after good build-up through the centre of the park. The Turf was then in uproar after Mahon sports-manly kicked the ball out of play for a wounded Pompey-ite before Ade completely missed a volley crossed in by the solid Stephen Jordan - if connected it would have been the strike of his career!
Portsmouth had always been in complete control of the play though and somewhat fortuitously stole the winner with Nugent coolly slotting the ball across Kiraly and into the far post, after a well-directed pass through the right channel. At the time it looked dubious - after TV replays it looked a steal. His 'finger silencing' gesture towards the Clarets fans will not have gone down well and suspect many are already looking forward to our next clash against him. He could have quickly had a second after curling a shot wide of the far post from the left-hand corner of the box attacking towards his own dedicated band of supporters.
Burnley soon rang the changes (See CT report) in personnel; formation and tactics but it was to no avail despite several free-kicks around the final third. For the Clarets it was a slightly disappointing end to a game we could have won - maybe we were too cautious 2nd half; maybe we were 10 yards too deep; if only we could have scored one of those headers; maybe we should have had a penalty; quite possibly a 'handball' - all 'ifs and maybes' highlights the favoured and fortune of higher class opponents. Portsmouth will be happy sailing away clutching possessively to their treasured 4th round golden ball. We will be happy with the fight, spirit and, at times, the football.
Man of the match, for me, was Pedro Mendes - absolutely bossed the centre of midfield. For us, Kiraly dealt with everything superbly and produced one outstanding save in the first half.
Keep the faith UTC