Match ends, Portsmouth 2, Cambridge United 1.
PortsmouthPortsmouth2CambridgeCambridge United1
Portsmouth were in party mood as they celebrated their promotion from League Two with victory over Cambridge, also denting the visitors' own play-off hopes.
A first-half strike from Karl Baker and a superb free-kick from Kai Naismith eased Pompey to victory over a Cambridge side who turned in a lacklustre performance and only had Luke Berry's late free-kick as a consolation.
Pompey dominated the opening exchanges and played some neat football through midfield as they tried to pick their way through Cambridge's defence, with Kyle Bennett looking particularly lively.
Their early attempts were limited to long-range strikes from Baker and and Gareth Evans, who both picked their way in off the right flank, but their efforts provided no test for Cambridge goalkeeper Will Norris.
Left-back Enda Stevens surged forward to find space on the left to unlock Cambridge on 19 minutes, receiving a pass and working his way to the byline, where he pulled an inviting low ball back into the path of Baker, who swept the ball home his eighth league goal, left-footed from 10 yards.
For all their dominance, Pompey were caught napping on 35 minutes when Cambridge almost levelled out of the blue when Uche Ikpeazu seized on the ball after Pompey keeper David Forde spilled a cross and saw his shot blocked by defender Jack Whatmough.
Normal service was resumed and Pompey striker Nicke Kabamba missed a golden opportunity to double his side's lead, planting an unmarked header wide from four yards.
Bennett was again on Cambridge's case two minutes into the second half, firing in a right-foot shot from 22 yards which Norris was unable to hold but the Cambridge keeper pounced on the loose ball with Kai Naismith lurking.
Naismith was not to be denied, though, and after Stanley Aborah - in his first start for Pompey - was fouled 22 yards out, Pompey's top scorer dipped a precise free-kick past the stranded Norris for his 10th league goal of the season.
Cambridge had offered precious little going forward in the second half but their anonymity as an attacking forced was relieved on 80 minutes when Berry curled in a free-kick as impressive as Naismith's.
In injury time, Berry was presented with another opportunity 25 yards out but keeper Forde climbed to claw his free-kick away.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Portsmouth
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1FordeBooked at 90mins
- 26Evans
- 16WhatmoughBooked at 90mins
- 5Clarke
- 3Stevens
- 29Opoku Aborah
- 8Doyle
- 7BakerBooked at 9minsSubstituted forLoweat 67'minutes
- 22Naismith
- 23BennettSubstituted forRobertsat 72'minutes
- 15KabambaSubstituted forChaplinat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Davies
- 4Rose
- 11Roberts
- 13O'Brien
- 18Lowe
- 19Chaplin
- 25Talbot
Cambridge
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Norris
- 28Halliday
- 6Legge
- 2Taylor
- 19Carroll
- 7Mingoia
- 8Berry
- 16O'NeilBooked at 53minsSubstituted forDunkat 57'minutes
- 24NewtonSubstituted forDunneat 61'minutes
- 21Elito
- 26IkpeazuSubstituted forMcGurkat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Dunne
- 11Dunk
- 12Wharton
- 13Gregory
- 17McGurk
- 18Maris
- 22Lewis
- Referee:
- Gavin Ward
- Attendance:
- 18,165
Match Stats
Home TeamPortsmouthAway TeamCambridge
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home2
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away19
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Portsmouth 2, Cambridge United 1.
Booking
David Forde (Portsmouth) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Conor Chaplin (Portsmouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Piero Mingoia (Cambridge United).
Post update
Attempt saved. Luke Berry (Cambridge United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
Booking
Jack Whatmough (Portsmouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Jack Whatmough (Portsmouth).
Post update
Medy Elito (Cambridge United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Luke Berry (Cambridge United) header from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Piero Mingoia (Cambridge United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Foul by Jamal Lowe (Portsmouth).
Post update
Jake Carroll (Cambridge United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Kal Naismith (Portsmouth).
Post update
James Dunne (Cambridge United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Adam McGurk (Cambridge United) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Leon Legge (Cambridge United) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
Post update
Attempt missed. Kal Naismith (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Post update
Jack Whatmough (Portsmouth) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Medy Elito (Cambridge United).
