Fratton flashback: Pompey's record win against Notts County

A stunning 9-1 win in April 1927 was enough to keep the high-flying hosts, managed by John McCartney, in second place in division two – and has yet to be bettered in the nine following decades.

The Blues, who were to go on to seal promotion to the top flight of English football, led after just two minutes when Jerry Mackie scored with a left-foot drive.

And the hosts doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Freddie Forward’s square pass found Billy ‘Farmer’s Boy’ Haines, who side-footed the ball home.

Pompey were playing brilliant football in front of a crowd of 15,678 at Fratton Park.

And Reg Davies scored what proved to be the best goal of the game with a shot from 30 yards that rocketed into the top corner.

Notts County were being over-run but they did mange to break and put the home defence in a state of discomfort until skipper Harry Foxall cleared the ball away.

Pompey soon grabbed a fourth through Haines but the visitors managed to pull a goal back when Peter Kelly headed past Dan McPhail.

Haines completed his hat-trick on 56 minutes and Forward was rewarded for his fine display with a goal from 15 yards.

Cook rattled in goal number seven – and the outside left netted again with a shot just inside the near post – before Mackie completed the rout in the closing minutes.

POMPEY: Dan McPhail, George Clifford, Ted Smith, Reg Davies, Harry Foxall, Billy Moffat, Fred Forward, Jerry Mackie, Billy Haines, Dave Watson, Freddie Cook.