Superb Pompey crush Colchester

Pompey's march towards promotion gathered pace as they ran out convincing 4-0 winners at Colchester today.
Danny Rose nets for Pompey at Colchester. Picture: Joe PeplerDanny Rose nets for Pompey at Colchester. Picture: Joe Pepler
Danny Rose nets for Pompey at Colchester. Picture: Joe Pepler

The Blues were at their fluent best at the Weston Homes Community Stadium as they sent out a real statement of intent for the campaign’s run-in.

Goals from Eoin Doyle, Kyle Bennett, Danny Rose and captain Michael Doyle sent the travelling Pompey fans home delirious as Paul Cook’s dominant side built on the moment of Tuesday night’s vital win at Crawley.

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The visitors soaked up some early Colchester pressure straight from kick-off with ease before turning the screw on their hosts.

Kal Naismith and Carl Baker were causing the home side all sorts of problems, with the former drawing two saves out of U’s keeper Sam Walker.

Enda Stevens then tested the Colchester shot-stopper from the edge of the area as Pompey began to find their range.

George Eloboki had to be alert to clear Eoin Doyle’s header off the line, before the Blues eventually made their dominance count.

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Naismith’s corner was easily dealt with by the home defence, but the Colchester backline was nowhere to be seen as he sent in another cross for the unmarked Eoin Doyle to head home from six yards on 22 minutes.

Sean Murray’s wild volley over the bar on 33 minutes was the nearest the U’s came to threatening David Forde’s goal in the first half.

And it was Pompey who looked the best bet to score again, after Bennett and Stevens linked up well to only just miss Eoin Doyle’s darting run into the box.

In the second half, the Blues effectively wrapped up the game inside two minutes.

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Eoin Doyle cut the ball back to Naismith, and he set up Bennett to score the visitors’ second.

Sensing blood, Pompey ramped up the pressure.

Elokobi was brave to deny Baker the goal he deserved, before Bennett fired wide after a quick throw-in from Stevens.

A third was coming, though, and it arrived just after the hour mark from Rose.

Bursting into the box he saw his initial shot saved by Walker, but the ball fell comfortably back into his stride and he produced a deft chip in front of the travelling away fans.

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Naismith then tried his luck with a cool effort that had Walker scrambling, before Michael Doyle capitalised on Colchester’s flagging confidence by netting his first goal of the season.

He was on hand to apply the finishing touch to a flowing move that started with Forde’s clearance.

As the clocked ticked down, Pompey could easily have added to the scoreline.

However, on this occasion they had to make do with four goals as they sent out a warning to their promotion rivals.