Blues win at Juveleo, but look odds-on to stay in Div 5
Portsmouth got the win they needed at 'rudderless' Juveleo (last helmed by JamesDalton), and are 9 points clear of the bottom 3. However, looking upwards, they are 5 points off 2nd, and now we're down to only 4 games left to play.
McGarvey had something to say about the relegation scenario though: "Whoever *does* join Juveleo and Semen Padang in being relegated to Div 6, really has got a sh*t deal. It's not really fair. I mean *really*. Hopefully, with a little restructuring and a 'shuffle-up', the team finishing 6th might yet survive in the Div 5 tier. Div 5 has a bit of a cliff-edge to it, and it's dead as dodo down in Div 6."
"The one thing is, if you do end up there, maximize the 1 season you spend there. *Make sure* you go up in 1st place, and win all the categories - top goalscorer, point scorer, assists, MVP - and get your PR's done too. Then you've got a little money behind you - and if there isn't much competition you can pick up the money for MoTW too."
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Back to Thursday's game. McGarvey didn't take that many risks, against what is still "more than a half-decent side' put out by the assistant there: Ricardo Celtic. Just Pompey's #2 keeper Josué Bustarmante, young winger Jesse Tarrant (21) along (possibly) with fringe midfielder Shola Ogungbure, maybe Augusto Franzen too.
It was Ogungbore who put the Blue 1v0 up after 14 mins with a spectacular strike. The stocky Nigerian (who has a reputation for 'blowing hot & cold'), took down a headed clearance from the home side, juggled it over an onrushing green-shirted midfielder, and lashed home a 25-yard volley for a helluva goal.
Skipper Greg Orlando (retiring at the end of the season), made it 2v0, with only his 6th ever goal, in his 252nd appearance in a blue shirt. (Orlando hitting the 250 milestones against Rampage FC). the tall left-back stroking home from just inside the area, after a corner, looked like it had been wasted. Claudio Tardelli made it 3v0 just 7 mins after the interval, lifting the ball over the home keeper after being put through by Archie Avalos. 3v0.
Pompey were dozing somewhat and paid for it as the hosts got a rare goal (for them) - which could yet impact the blues. Birgir Gottskalk's well-struck shot somehow found the bottom corner through a sea of legs, with 1 minute of the normal left.
Pompey face off against Mosspark Camanachd on Thursday, the 2 sides look favorites for the two mid-table spots, but McGarvey knows that their Manager - Harrymurdo is far too wily to let things slip too much, whilst Gaj's A.C. Milano are still in reach.