Portsmouth boss John Mousinho is optimistic about next season after an entertaining 2-2 draw at home to Wycombe.
Pompey equalised twice, through Marlon Pack and Paddy Lane, with Garath McCleary and Lewis Wing – with a long-range screamer – on target for the visitors in the final match of the 2022-23 Sky Bet League One campaign.
Mousinho said: “We could have scored more today. We had chance after chance after chance, but it just didn’t fall for us.
“Of the two conceded, the first one was sloppy, but the second was a wonder goal. One of those one-offs from about 50 yards.
“If today’s performance is anything to go by, then the future looks promising.
“Obviously the fans want us to shoot all the time but I felt that we did turn down a few opportunities to shoot in the first half.
“The way we build is excellent at times and I was absolutely thrilled with how we did that today.
“I think Paddy Lane has been excellent the last couple of games after a torrid six months. He’s looking good.”
Pompey were the dominant side in the first half, yet it was Wycombe who opened the scoring in the 31st minute.
A dreadful pass out from goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi went straight to the feet of McCleary, who swept forward to power the ball under the goalkeeper’s body.
Pompey fought back and deservedly levelled in the 44th minute as a second corner in as many minutes saw a Michael Jacobs cross headed home by Pack at the back post.
The second half continued to entertain and in the 54th minute Wing hammered home from far out. However, Lane levelled 18 minutes later to ensure a point apiece.
Wycombe boss Matt Bloomfield is also looking forward to the next campaign.
He said: “We needed a good response to last week’s defeat (3-0 at home to Cheltenham) and I don’t think the players needed telling that. I’ve sensed in training that this sort of performance was possible today.
“There was anger in the team after last week, and with nearly a thousand supporters making the trip, they didn’t want to disappoint.
“We wanted to set the stall for next season, and I thought we did that. Three points would have been nice, but I thought a draw was fair overall.
“We could have had a winner at the end, and would question the offside decision, but that’s football.
“I thought we showed as an attacking threat overall. We certainly didn’t want to come here and play out a boring 90 minutes and a 0-0 before people go on their holidays.
“We’re excited about the future of this club. It’s a special place to be and I’m pleased to be here.”
Birmingham 3-1 Wrexham: Stansfield brace hands hosts Hollywood derby bragging rights
Jay Stansfield struck either side of half-time to give 10-man Birimingham a huge 3-1 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Wrexham on Monday.
A game dubbed the 'Hollywood derby' was given a blockbuster start when Jack Marriot smashed home the opening goal for the visitors with just two minutes on the clock.
But Birmingham's £10million recruit Stansfield soon levelled the scores, being the first to react to Alfie May's effort that was parried into his path by Arthur Okonkwo.
The hosts then took hold of the encounter as May and Taylor Gardner-Hickman went close, but the game entered the break finely poised at St. Andrew's.
However, Blues' dominance prevailed seven minutes after the restart with Stansfield's header picking out the far corner following Alex Cochrane's pinpoint cross.
And the points were sealed just before the hour-mark in stunning fashion as Tomoki Iwata's strike from distance smashed in off the post, much to the delight of minority owner Tom Brady in the stands.
A fiesty conclusion to proceedings saw Chris Davies' side end the game with a man less after Krystian Bielik was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Andrew Cannon, but Birmingham were able to hold on for the win.
Data Debrief: The American dream
Much was made of Birmingham's approach to the transfer window after spending £25m in their attempts to return the Championship at the first time of asking, but their biggest investment proved his worth on Monday.
Stansfield notched his first two goals for the club since his permanent switch from Fulham, but the Blues striker also played a starring role in the encounter.
He registered an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.12 to Birmingham's 1.3 total, while he also produced more shots on target (three) and touches in the opposition box (six) than any other player.
Birmingham 3-1 Wrexham: Stansfield brace earns hosts Hollywood derby win
Jay Stansfield struck either side of half-time to give 10-man Birimingham a huge 3-1 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Wrexham on Monday.
A game dubbed the 'Hollywood derby' was given a blockbuster start when Jack Marriot smashed home the opening goal for the visitors with just two minutes on the clock.
But Birmingham's £10million recruit Stansfield soon levelled the scores, being the first to react to Alfie May's effort that was parried into his path by Arthur Okonkwo.
The hosts then took hold of the encounter as May and Taylor Gardner-Hickman went close, but the game entered the break finely poised at St. Andrew's.
However, Blues' dominance prevailed seven minutes after the restart with Stansfield's header picking out the far corner following Alex Cochrane's pinpoint cross.
And the points were sealed just before the hour-mark in stunning fashion as Tomoki Iwata's strike from distance smashed in off the post, much to the delight of minority owner Tom Brady in the stands.
A fiesty conclusion to proceedings saw Chris Davies' side end the game with a man less after Krystian Bielik was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Andrew Cannon, but Birmingham were able to hold on for the win.
Data Debrief: The American dream
Much was made of Birmingham's approach to the transfer window after spending £25m in their attempts to return the Championship at the first time of asking, but their biggest investment proved his worth on Monday.
Stansfield notched his first two goals for the club since his permanent switch from Fulham, but the Blues striker also played a starring role in the encounter.
He registered an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.12 to Birmingham's 1.3 total, while he also produced more shots on target (three) and touches in the opposition box (six) than any other player.
Reggae Boyz winger Kaheim Dixon completes move to Charlton Athletic
Jamaica’s Kaheim Dixon officially joined Charlton Athletic on a four-year contract, as he was unveiled by the League One club on Friday.
Dixon is now Nathan Jones' eighth summer signing and will wear the number 13 jersey at the London-based club, much like he did at Clarendon College.
The talented winger, who was instrumental in Clarendon College’s two titles in last season’s ISSA schoolboys’ football competition, scoring 32 goals complemented by 17 assists, continued to make a name for himself with Jamaica Premier League (JPL) club Arnett Gardens before eventually breaking into the senior Reggae Boyz setup.
Dixon, 19, was first identified by Charlton Athletic through their partner, Mount Pleasant Football Academy, after which his move from Arnett Gardens, for an undisclosed fee, was then assisted by Charlton Athletic’s strong ties to the Reggae Boyz, according to a release on the club’s website.
This, as Dixon’s Reggae Boy teammate Karoy Anderson is a current member of the club, while another Reggae Boy, Michael Hector, recently left after his contract expired.
Dixon, who has two goals in eight appearances for the Reggae Boyz, expressed delight at his move.
“I’m very happy to be here. My first opportunity to go professional is to be at the Addicks. It’s been very good to see Karoy [Anderson], another teammate from my country. I can’t wait to start playing with him,” he said.
Charlton Athletic have won both League One games played so far this season against Wigan Athletic and Leyton Orient and sit fourth in the table.
They host Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, where Dixon could possibly make a debut appearance.
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