Final table sees Pompey finish 4th for 3rd season on trot, but...
..once again, table it tight, and leaves a 'what if?' question.
After the final set of results came in, and the table was drawn up - big congratulations to Champions Woodwynd Rangers, and also to the Harry Wraggs (the only side to do the 'double' over the Blues), who took the play-off spot (where they were ultimately successful, and so will be playing Div 4 football next season too). Woodwynd were the most consistent outfit, but you have to spare a thought for poor old Hibbie Hibbie Shake. Other than after the initial first set of fixtures, they were never out of the top 2 *all season" - until that is, on the final day. 'Too many draws' - was the verdict from camp Pompey. (No, not camp Pompey, I mean 'base Pompey' or suchlike... Oh never mind)
The final table also showed that Portsmouth were just 2 points and a couple of goals off that play-off spot themselves, yet they'd been more worried about avoiding the 3rd relegation spot, and accumulating DV at the same time, than to look up. But a victory in either one of those close final two draws, would have seen the Blues go up.. But a firm believer in 'luck evens out over the season - or near enough'. It wasn't sulked about. But it is wondered about the 17 year-old forward Moses Tataw Eta, and his late contract, well past the half-way point, normally considered the 'cut-off' for a youth promotee.
Tataw Eta had less then 10 minutes as a sub in defeat on his debut at Woodwynd Rangers, but then was one of 4 'kids' fielded against Sharks FC at Fratton. Would Pompey have fared differently with an experienced forward rather than the young Cameroonian against the 5th placed outfit? They didn't create much, but two of the players used were a non-result in the end of season change report, and Tataw Eta a complete 'write-off'.
The African was given a straight red card in the next match away to FC Morot, barely past the half-hour, and so was suspended for the final game against Third Lanark Strollers - won by Pompey at Fratton 2v0, thanks to goals by Janne Rundkvist and a penalty from Player of the Year (& skipper) Sunday Yakubu.
Tataw Eta's total playing time then = 138 minutes, not even near 2 games, let alone 4! But still achieved DV of 11, but not enough to trouble the C/R scorers. Yakubu missing out on the MVP also stung a little after leading the race with 2 games left - but Danny MacManaman of Woodwynd was a worthy winner.
We'll stop whinging and wish both Woodwynd & Harry Wraggs well for Division 4, and also hope that FC Morot, Karpet BK and Third Lanark come straight back up again.
So to next season! After 8 successive seasons in Div 5, it just might be time to kick for promotion (!) - or drop down and rebuild from the bottom up..???
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