By Laurence Warren-West
Warblington school unveiled its brand new all-weather pitch with a belated showcase match between a staff XI and a Portsmouth FC Legends team; consisting of former internationals Darren Anderton and Mark Chamberlain as we'll as Lee Bradbury, Andy Awford, Shaun Gale, Guy Butters, Mark Kelly and Scott Green.
The Portsmouth team dominated early possession but the two sides were still all square after 10 minutes until Head of Year Roland Barnard handled what would have been a certain goal. Former Portsmouth striker Bradbury stepped up to take the penalty which was miraculously saved by IT Technician Carl Knight. However, Bradbury was quickest to the rebound and made it 1-0 to the visitors. After grabbing the first goal the Portsmouth legends were in the ascendancy and with their pass and move style soon added three more goals. Warblington pulled one back with a superb long distance strike flying in to the top corner of the Portsmouth goal and half-time soon followed.
Portsmouth legends started the second half brightly with a goal almost straight from kick off. Warblington soon made it 6-2 with Warren-West coolly sliding the ball past the Portsmouth keeper. The home side then enjoyed a spell of possession and almost clawed back another goal with Head of Sport Rob Andrew’s effort flying just past the upright.
During the later stages of the game Darren Anderton was allowed more time on the ball which allowed him to spray passes across the field with great accuracy. Another quick passing move resulted in the second penalty of the game which was expertly dispatched this time leaving the goalkeeper no chance whatsoever. With the score now 7-2 to the visitors and not long left in the game the home side threw caution to the wind and were able to add to their two goal tally when Lawrence Fisher drove a fizzing shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
A third penalty was then awarded soon after to the away side but the penalty shot flew high and wide.
Although the Warblington side had lost 7-3, they were delighted to have drawn the second half 2-2 and that the curtain raising event had been a huge success.