Kenny Jackett happy as Portsmouth avoid FA Cup replay against Rochdale

Posted Monday, December 03, 2018 by PA

Kenny Jackett admitted he was already thinking about a second-round replay when Andre Green’s 90th-minute deflected strike gave Portsmouth a 1-0 FA Cup win at Rochdale.

A quick free-kick from Lee Brown fed Green on the edge of the area and his effort struck defender Ryan Delaney and wrong-footed keeper Josh Lillis.

The goal came against the run of play, with Dale having bossed the second period to such an extent that Jackett was thinking in terms of taking the tie back to the south coast.

“We were the better side in the first period but I thought Rochdale were the better side in the second period,” he said.

“I was quite prepared for the game to go to a replay and for us to finish off the job at Fratton Park.

“It was quick thinking from Lee Brown to take the free-kick and it’s great for Andre to get his time with us up and ruining after injury.

“Hopefully this will really kick-start his time with us.

“We knew what to expect coming here having beaten them in the league and they had a game plan for us to negate our threats.

“I hope we can get one of the big boys in the next round so the players can get some experience of a higher standard and the club can get some finances that could help us progress.”

Both sides hit the crossbar either side of the interval, Ronan Curtis for the visitors and Matt Done for the home side but the tie was settled by Green’s fortuitous effort.

Rochdale boss Keith Hill was annoyed with referee Seb Stockbridge over his handling of the decisive free-kick.

He was also disappointed by the official’s failure to award his side a penalty late on when he claimed Andy Cannon was bundled over in a crowded penalty area.

“It was cruel and we definitely had a penalty decision that has gone against us – it was a penalty, we’ve watched it back,” said Hill.

“I thought that the refereeing standard was poor but, with respect to ourselves, I am happy with the performance, considering the level of opposition that we were up against.

“The referee has made a bad decision. He goes chasing after Ryan Delaney without actually marking it out with the foam, so straight away he has made a terrible decision.

“But if I’m the opponent I am trying to do the same, I realise the referee has made a mistake, I realise he’s turned his back on where the ball should be placed, the fourth official doesn’t help him at all and they get it wrong.

“It was a cruel deflection. I won’t complain about the award of the free-kick but the referee seemed to have some sort of panic attack with respect to having to book Ryan Delaney.

“Him and the officials have missed the penalty and it’s such a shame because I don’t think we deserved to lose.”