Keith Hackett hails Crawley despite expensive Portsmouth situation – Exclusive
This article includes exclusive comment from former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett.
Portsmouth faced a disruption on Saturday when their pre-season fixture against Crawley was called off.
Heavy rain on 19 July made the pitch unplayable at Crawley’s Broadfield Stadium, forcing officials to postpone the game.
The decision enraged some Portsmouth fans who made the trip to West Sussex. Many couldn’t believe a game in July had been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
The match was ultimately played at Pompey’s training ground instead, with the Blues winning 1-0 thanks to a Connor Ogilvie strike.
Crawley praised after postponed friendly against Portsmouth
Some Portsmouth fans who travelled to Crawley might be frustrated at the League Two club for not having a pitch that could withstand a rainstorm in July.
However, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has praised the Red Devils for how they reacted to this situation.
Speaking exclusively to Pompey News, Hackett said: “Once Crawley Town recognised that their game was at risk, they had to take appropriate action.
“In cancelling the game and making a full return on tickets with a 3.5-hour notice, they should be applauded. They will face a bill for the food that had been prepared. The organising of a game which involves the police, stewards and staff, costs of match officials, etc.
“These are not easy decisions, and the Met Office will have been consulted along with the groundsman and the match officials.”
Portsmouth can be pleased with pre-season friendly performances
Portsmouth have won all three of their pre-season friendlies comfortably.
They beat non-league sides Woking and Farnborough 2-0 and 5-0 respectively before Saturday’s 1-0 triumph.
Many believe that the results of pre-season friendlies don’t tell much of a story, particularly against teams from a lower division.
However, Mousinho will be pleased with his players’ performances. His first-choice centre-halves have all had the chance to gain minutes alongside each other, which was rare during last season’s injury crisis.
His new signing, Adrian Segecic, has looked sharp, and most importantly, there have been no major injury setbacks.
| Portsmouth’s remaining pre-season fixtures | Date |
| Reading (A) | 26 July |
| Havant and Waterlooville (A) | 29 July |
| PEC Zwolle (H) | 2 August |
With all that in mind, these friendly fixtures can be considered ‘mission accomplished’ so far.
Mousinho and his team face trips to Reading and Havant and Waterlooville later in July, as well as a home friendly against PEC Zwolle on 2 August to round off their pre-season schedule.
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