Us dent Pompey's title hopes

United's reserves beat Portsmouth 2-0 at Fratton Park to virtually ensure that Crystal Palace will win the title. Goals from defender Robert Lovegrove and substitute Adam Garner were enough as United put in a fine performance, with Scott Guyett in particular impressing. Portsmouth 'keeper Tardif was called on to make fine saves from Guyett, Jefferson Louis and Manny Omoyinmi, but he was powerless to stop Lovegrove's free header after 25 minutes. Garner sealed the result after 80 minutes shooting home from the edge of the area.

Frattonising

United's reserves are away to Portsmouth's reserves this evening, and include three triallists amongst their number, providing that their registration has come through in time. They include Ryan 'bloody' Valentine, a Wales under-21 international midfielder from Everton, right back Scott Gooding from Palace who has played for the Us reserves already this season, and centre back James Okel, who is of Nigerian origin but who doesn't show up on any web searches (unless he's the James Okel who died on duty in an aircraft accident in Milton on 4th March 1959, which we consider unlikely).

Pompey currently lead the Avon Insurance Football Combination, one point ahead of Crystal Palace, who lost at home to Bristol Rovers on Monday. Both teams have two games remaining (including tonight's). This is United's reserves final match of the season.