Portsmouth (2) 3
Ellis Harrison 30, 54
Ben Close 39
Birmingham City (0) 0
Attendance: 9,913 (inc. 1,513 away fans)
The visitors made nine changes from the side that won 0-1 v at Brentford on Saturday, courtesy of Kristian Pedersen's goal... and included thirteen players who'd come through the academy ranks in tonight's squad. While Kenny Jackett opted to field a strong Pompey side, saying that he wanted his side to pick up some momentum, following an opening day defeat at Shrewsbury Town.
Pep Clotet handed out debuts to no less than six players over the course of tonight's game, including Jude Bellingham, who subsequently broke Trevor Francis' record, set in 1970, to become Birmingham’s youngest ever player, at just 16 years and 38 days old.
It's debatable whether 'Blues' (playing tonight in their all charcoal away strip), underestimated their League One opponents, genuinely wanted to run the rule on the younger element of the first team squad, or don't actually give a toss about the League Cup, but approaching the occasion as though it was merely an extension of the pre-season friendlies rota, was hardly likely to give Birmingham even the slightest foothold of a first step, on the road to Wembley. Either way, although there are much bigger fish to fry, and the Championship is (and must be) the priority for Birmingham City; even after applying a thick coat of perspective, it still needs to be said: that a morale boosting cup run ever hurt anyone.
The youngsters played some eye-catching, passing football and were adept at retaining the ball under pressure, and getting out of tight situations, with a few flicks and tricks, but even though one of the senior 'baby-sitters' in the side tonight: Craig Gardner tested the hosts keeper with a couple of long range strikes, there was only ever likely to be one winner, as a well drilled host side, made light work over out-muscling their inexperienced opponents, while chalking up three goals along the way.
Ellis Harrison headed the opening goal of the night, from Tom Naylor's nod forward and the ball crossed the line, just below the crossbar, despite Wes Harding's best efforts to head the ball away.
Ben Close rifled home an unstoppable strike from the edge of the area before half-time to give Pompey a comfortable two goal cushion.
Less than ten minutes after the restart, Naylor undid the visitors again, with a right-wing delivery towards Harrison, beyond the back post, who nudged Steve Seddon out of the way, before directing the ball back across the face of David Stockdale's goal, where it nestled just inside the right hand upright.
A last minute dash before the game, due to the late arrival at the ground of the pre-paid tickets for the away end, made for a frustrating start to the night for 1,513 travelling supporters... and it went downhill from thereon in for them. Save for a few promising performances from the up and coming visiting players of course.
FT: Portsmouth 3 v Birmingham City 0
It's currently knocking on towards 10PM, and my bed is approximately 174 miles and one steep staircase away, while my alarm is set for 5.30AM.
I reckon, I'll just about get home in time for a couple of hours sleep, before being rudely awoken by 'Alexa', who'll probably inform me that late nights at my age aren't 'character building stuff' anymore, but they're actually very phucking stupid!
I seriously hope, that nobody expects me to be even slightly sociable or productive at work tomorrow.., not that anybody would notice any difference to my usual 'cheery' demeanour to that end.
Don't wait up!
