Portsmouth 4 Hereford 1: Full time analysis

Aug 26 2009

Portsmouth put their Barclays Premier League problems on the backburner for a night and stormed into the Carling Cup third round with a comfortable win over Hereford.

With their club's ownership issues still dragging on and Pompey pointless from three league games, just 6,645 fans turned out to witness the south coast team tackle the League Two strugglers.

But those who did come to Fratton Park were rewarded with a rock-solid performance, as Frederic Piquionne, John Utaka, Niko Kranjcar and Richard Hughes fired their side through.

Injured Portsmouth goalkeeper David James (knee) was rested, along with defender Sylvain Distin, who has been linked with a move to Aston Villa.

Asmir Begovic deputised between the sticks, while Antony Vanden Borre, Angelos Basinas, Richard Hughes and debutant Joel Ward also came into the starting line-up.

Hereford were missing injured attacking duo Marc Pugh and Lee Morris, who suffered knocks last Tuesday, but midfielder Glen Southam played despite being taken off with a cut to his head against Crewe on Saturday.

Portsmouth wasted no time in turning up the pressure and Utaka came close to putting them in front when he nodded wide of the post from Nadir Belhadj's centre after nine minutes.

Utaka was put clean through on goal two minutes later, only for Hereford stopper Adam Bartlett to rush from his line and produce a stunning stop.

Frederic Piquionne was unable to latch onto the rebound and hit the post with a header after 15 minutes.