Saints were matching up against rivals Portsmouth.
This was my first chance to see a major rivalry up close.
I've watched Carolina-Duke, Yanks-Sox, OSU-Michigan, ect over the last 15+ years of my life.
But I've never BEEN there to see it first hand.
So it is difficult to say how Saints-Pompey is in comparison, but it is ridiculous.
I can say, the rivalry (like all) is taken VERY seriously!
I've never heard the phrase, "You dirty skate bastard!" used so much in just one sitting!
Our welcoming party:
Myself, Mack & Mack's dad (Ken) arrived around 11.30, ready for hamburgers.
That would be the most eventful & memorable burger I will ever eat.
When Mack asked his dad for the tickets, he gave him 2 of 3. UH-OH!
The other ticket's whereabouts? A bedside table in Manchester.
So it was up to Mack's dad to solve the dilemma.
He (and major credit to the beautiful ticket lady) came thru in flying colors.
Coming into the match, the Saints had seen their great run of form end against Blackpool in a 3-0 loss-- the first match without seeing any points in the Championship since their loss against Leicester City in mid-January. Naturally, the entire squad was looking to reverse that with a win against their South coast rivals in front of a sell out croud.
[St. Mary's was packed to the brim with 28,709 Saints supporters and 3,034 Pompey supporters, a grand total of 31,743 (via Saints). The atmosphere: electric. ]
The lunchtime kickoff began with a bang as Morgan Schneiderlin go into the book within the first two minutes. Although, Morgan's derby would end within 7 minutes as he bowed out with an apparent knee injury. He was replaced by Jack Cork who had a lively match when he entered.
The Saints definitely looked the better side during the first 45 as they were able to string together fluid passing into opportunities on Pompey's keeper, Jamie Ashdown. Pompey were able to defend well enough to keep the score-sheet goal free. But the Saints helped Pompey's defensive cause as their 1st touches in the attacking third were a bit anxious, thus unrewarding.
The match neared the half hour mark, with the Saints still well in control over the visit team. And the Saints had a "patient swagger" about them that allowed them to not become complacent with missed chances. That patience would pay dividends as Billy Sharp's continued goal success at St. Mary's gave the home supporters a lot to cheer about. On the 27th minute, he flicked a lose ball in the box into the Pompey net after a broken set piece. Saints 1; Pompey 0.
Following the goal, Pompey tried to apply more pressure which caused unsettled commotion in the Saints back line. It led to a Maguire & Pompey goal 10 minutes before the break. Saints 1; Pompey 1.
Nigel's lads would return at the halftime whistle with the continued offense success. The Saints forced Ashdown into three impressive saves, one after another via set pieces which kept the scoreline level.
When De Ridder came on to replace Guly at the hour mark, the crowd around St. Mary's felt the tension rising as the team freshened their attacking third, looking for a could-be winner. Pomepy countered the Saints aggressive move with a striker-for-striker move of their own (Dave Kitson for Kelvin Etuhu).
The match neared the dying minutes of normal time still knotted at 1. But the Saints' pressure once again paid off as Billy Sharp found himself in a position to give the Saints the lead. Although, the goal, at first, was rescinded by the linesmen. It wasn't until a discussion with the field official that the goal was given. Credit Billy Sharp, Saints 2; Pompey 1 on the 89th minute.
Saints fans were willing their team to victory in the additional four minutes. Adkins & Saints supporters rewarded Billy Sharp's performance a deserving ovation as he made way for Dan Harding. As the clock ticked on the match, unlucky defending found the visitors taking their only chance on target in the second half. An unmarked David Norris found himself at the top of the box with the ball. His rocket shot flew past the extending Kelvin Davis and into the net. Absolute bedlam in the visitors corner. Saints 2; Pompey 2.
The match concluded 2-2, another draw against Pompey-- Pompey's late equalizer spoiling the St. Mary's celebration. The derby point draws Southampton level with Reading on points at 79, but Saints leads the Championship on goal differential. West Ham remains 4 points back of the pair. The Saints visit Sellhurt Park on Monday the 9th looking to win a vital 3 points.
Southampton FC Starting XI: Kelvin Davis, Frazer Richardson, Jos Hooiveld, Jose Fonte, Daniel Fox, Guly Do Prado, Morgan Schneiderlin, Dean Hammond, Adam Lallana
Saints Subs: Dan Harding, Jack Cork, Lee Barnard, Aaron Martin, Steve De Ridder
Portsmouth FC Starting XI: Jamie Ashdown, Joel Ward, Ricardo Rocha, Jason Pearce, Karim Rekik, Greg Halford, David Norris, Scott Allan, Kelvin Etuhu, Luke Varney, Chris Maguire
Pompey Subs: Sam Magri, Marko Futacs, Ashley Harris, Luca Scapuzzi, Dave Kitson
Southampton FC 2 (Sharp 27, 89); Portsmouth FC 2 (Maguire 36, Norris 94)
