Jamal Lowe: I was told to win us the game at Notts County - and it resulted in Portsmouth promotion

Go and win the game – Jamal Lowe’s sole tactical instructions ahead of that history-making Meadow Lane entrance three years today.
Pompey's fans staged a Meadow Lane pitch invasion following promotion on April 17, 2017 - with goal hero Jamal Lowe among the thick of it. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey's fans staged a Meadow Lane pitch invasion following promotion on April 17, 2017 - with goal hero Jamal Lowe among the thick of it. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey's fans staged a Meadow Lane pitch invasion following promotion on April 17, 2017 - with goal hero Jamal Lowe among the thick of it. Picture: Joe Pepler

Subsequently, the substitute would net twice to defeat Notts County 3-1 and fire Pompey back into League One.

With the Blues drawing 1-1 in a match which could yield promotion with three games to spare, boss Paul Cook introduced Lowe for Carl Baker in the 69th minute.

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The former Hampton & Richmond winger, with just one Football League goal to his name, was handed the briefest of directions from Pompey’s manager.

And Lowe’s remarkable impact on April 17, 2017, is now entrenched in Fratton folklore.

He told The News: ‘Obviously we knew if we won at Notts County we could be promoted, but I don’t think anyone thought it was going to go that way, even myself.

‘Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would come on and score twice to win promotion. Wow.

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‘One of the physios on the bench was checking other results during the game and Luton were drawing, which was good news, but it was still 1-1 in our match.

‘I was told I was going on and Paul Cook literally said, word for word: “Go on and win the game”. It was as simple as that, no other tactics.

‘Normally you are told you are marking so and so from corners or how you should make sure you are here. There was none of that – I was just told to go and win the game.

‘I don’t think you understand how many times I have since watched the clip with commentary of those two Notts County goals, so many times.

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‘You just get that feeling every time you watch it, amazing memories I will never forget. There’s also the version where somebody put the Titanic music on, that is a classic!

Jamal Lowe was introduced off the bench in the 69th minute against Notts County - and his impact created Pompey history. Picture: Joe PeplerJamal Lowe was introduced off the bench in the 69th minute against Notts County - and his impact created Pompey history. Picture: Joe Pepler
Jamal Lowe was introduced off the bench in the 69th minute against Notts County - and his impact created Pompey history. Picture: Joe Pepler

‘To be honest, the keeper should have saved it for my first goal. Thankfully he didn't because after that they had a chance to score, when Burge, I think, cleared it off the line.

‘Then, in the last minute, Doyler had a free-kick. We had never worked on that, I didn’t even think he was going to put it through because really we should have been time wasting, but he spotted my run.

‘Initially I was going to make the run into the corner and try to hold it up there, but halfway through I thought “Let’s just see whether I can make a run straight to goal” – but I still didn’t think he was going to play it to me.

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‘He did, though. When none of their players came with me, I thought am I offside? I looked at the lino, he had his flag down, and I finished it.

Jamal Lowe celebrates his second goal at Meadow Lane, sealing Pompey's return to League One on April 17, 2017. Picture: Joe PeplerJamal Lowe celebrates his second goal at Meadow Lane, sealing Pompey's return to League One on April 17, 2017. Picture: Joe Pepler
Jamal Lowe celebrates his second goal at Meadow Lane, sealing Pompey's return to League One on April 17, 2017. Picture: Joe Pepler

‘Then, at the final whistle, I was on fans’ shoulders during a pitch invasion.

‘A year earlier there was a pitch invasion at Hampton & Richmond after winning the Isthmian Premier League title following a final-day goalless draw against Enfield. But nowhere near that scale, it was crazy!’

With Pompey defeating Notts County and rivals Luton drawing 1-1 at Mansfield, it meant Cook’s side claimed the final automatic promotion spot.

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Ultimately, they would become League Two champions three weeks later, but firstly had celebrations to fulfil with their supporters at Fratton Park.

Lowe added: ‘We partied all night after Notts County and I don't know what time I got home, maybe 3am.

‘I was in Southsea and tried to get a cab to my house in Edgeware Road, Milton, but couldn’t. I’d been waiting for 10 minutes and thought “No, I’m just going to walk”.

‘I don’t know how many miles that was, it felt like it took ages, but I was so happy that I didn’t care.’

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