Matchday Memories: Witness Nine Men Sky Blues Snatch Late Point at Pompey on This Day in 2019
Midfielder Michael Rose gave Mark Robins’ squad a late equaliser on August 20, 2019, as the nine-man Sky Blues pulled off an amazing comeback to draw 3-3 with Portsmouth at Fratton Park. After falling behind 2-1 at halftime and 3-1 shortly after, the 18,748 spectators, who included fewer than 1,000 Sky Blue Army representatives, returned home thrilled by the incredible comeback.
After just three minutes, the visitors had broken quickly from defending a corner, and Jordy Hiwula shot into the roof of the net to give City the lead. Just seven minutes later, Pompey responded with a header from Ronan Curtis, and two minutes before halftime, John Marquis completed a brilliant team move to make it 2-1. Before Fankaty Dabo received a second yellow card for handball, Gareth Evans added to Pompey’s lead in the 56th minute by taking advantage of a mistake made by CCFC defender Kyle McFadzean.
After Ben Close had fouled Liam Kelly, Matty Gooden’s penalty fifteen minutes from the end cut the lead. Gervane Kastaneer, a replacement for the Sky Blues, was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in eleven minutes after entering the game, thus ending the visitors’ prospects of a comeback. However, Rose scored the most improbable of points with a long throw from 10 yards out with four minutes remaining! The groups formed a line: -CCFC (4-3-3) (emphasised by CCFPA members):
Pompey (under Kenny Jackett’s leadership): Tom Naylor, Paul Downing, Sean Raggett (Brett Pitman -90+1), Craig MacGillivray, Ross McCrorie, Lee Brown (Brandon Haustrup -32), Ben Close, Gareth Evans (c) (Christian Burgess -84), Marcus Harness, John Marquis, and Ronan Curtis Unused substitutes: James Bolton (gk), Andrew Cannon, Ellis Harrison, and Alex Bass Kevin Johnson is the referee.
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