Long drawn out

United reserves have definitely learned a thing or two from their senior colleagues, throwing away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 against Portsmouth reserves up the Manor this evening. United took the lead thanks to our former Reading chum Linvoy Primus, who neatly converted an excellent Jamie Brooks cross into his own net.

Shortly afterwards Brooks himself doubled United's lead, but then the U's allowed Pompey to pull a goal back before half-time. The second half seemed to last forever, with some of the most turgid football yet seen at the Manor. Portsmouth's inevitable equaliser came about ten minutes from time when Gary Powell, and not Jon Shepheard as earlier reported (sorry Jon) was trying to shield the ball from going out of play, failed, and the away player's cross-cum-shot sailed over Richard McKinney, on trial from Manchester City, into the goal.

McKinney didn't have a particularly poor game, but he wasn't any great shakes either, whilst the other triallist, Powell from Bristol Rovers, had a good game at left back apart from his error which led to Portsmouth's equaliser. Dean Whitehead was head and shoulders above his colleagues in terms of both commitment and skill, whilst U's supporters will be heartened to learn that even at this level the Bus is poor. Peter Fear condescended to play and showed occasional flashes of class whilst Andy Linighan is obviously satisfied at seeing out his once glorious career in United's reserves.

On Pompey's bench their reserve goalie was Alan Knight, surely the oldest person in the ground (including David Kemp, Denis Smith and Malcolm Crosby).