Schmid has to watch over his shoulder after Portsmouth ‘miracle’ v Havant
Portsmouth had a ‘miracle’ moment to thank as they drew 0-0 with Havant & Waterlooville on Tuesday.
John Mousinho sent out a second-string side to get some minutes against the Southern League Premier Division South side.
It was largely a forgettable match until the defining moment happened in the 90th minute.
Ben Killip provides ‘miracle’ moment against Havant and Waterlooville
This game was largely a forgettable affair on a drab evening in Havant.
Most of the first team players who starred in the 4-0 victory against Reading were given the night off.
All of Portsmouth’s outfield players during the last 30 minutes were academy stars.
The match was petering out into a goalless draw.
Then, Havant defender Reuben Austin was brought down in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty.
Fans in the stadium woke up. Tension began to rise. This was Havant’s chance for a famous victory over Portsmouth.
Ryan Seager was the man who stepped up to try and win it for Havant, but his penalty was well saved by Portsmouth reserve goalkeeper Ben Killip.
Pompey fans were quick to praise Killip on social media for saving their team from an embarrassing defeat, with one calling the save a ‘miracle’. Another told first-choice goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid to ‘keep one eye open’.
It will take a miracle or a disaster to displace Nicolas Schmid
Killip was given the captain’s armband for this game, played 90 minutes and kept a clean sheet. Of course, he’ll be happy with that.
It was a big moment for the man who recently earned a new two-year contract at Fratton Park.
Even so, Nicolas Schmid will remain the first-choice goalkeeper for Portsmouth this season.
The Austrian goalkeeper was signed last season and is a major improvement on any other Pompey goalkeeper in the last decade. Perhaps the best since David James left in 2010.
| Player | Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
| Schmid | 35 | 3091 | 48 | 8 |
| Killip | 2 | 180 | 2 | 0 |
Schmid was so reliable last season. He pulled out dozens of outstanding saves in key moments for his team. He fully deserved his recent call-up to Austria’s international squad.
The only way that Killip or any other Portsmouth keeper will be picked ahead of Schmid is if he gets injured or is sold.
The latter is likely to happen sooner rather than later because Schmid is more than good enough to play in the Premier League.
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