A spectacular hat-trick from Steve Claridge gave Portsmouth a 3-0 win over
promotion chasing Barnsley.
Claridge set Pompey on their way to their first victory since the end of
October after only eight minutes.
The former Cambridge United striker benefited from slack marking at a Pompey
set piece.
Ceri Hughes was making his home debut for the Fratton Park side and it was the
former Luton Town midfielder's corner that provided the chance for Claridge. He
struck the ball over a static Tykes' defence and found Claridge at the far
post.
The former Leicester City striker's diving header flew past Kevin Miller's
grasping right hand and inside his unmanned right post.
Claridge, who received the supporters' Player of the Month award shortly
before the delayed kick off, extended the lead just 11 minutes later.
Russell Hoult's long ball was flicked on by Lee Bradbury who slipped the ball
wide to 33-year-old Claridge who proceeded to turn Chris Morgan inside out.
He nutmegged the Barnsley defender before firing in a right foot shot from the
edge of the area.
The morale boosting hat-trick goal came after 64 minutes.
It was Claridge's eighth goal of the season and was almost a replica of his
opening strike.
Michael Panopoulos hit a corner to the far post and Claridge again benefited
from bad marking.
His sidefooted volley gave Kevin Miller no chance and ended a run of 15 games
without a win.
Hat-trick hero Claridge was given a standing ovation on 87 minutes.
Portsmouth manager Tony Pulis brought on Guy Whittingham to replace Claridge
who had run himself into the ground after a tireless display in the Pompey
attack.
Claridge could even have had a hat-trick at half time if his curling right
foot shot from the edge of the area had found the top corner and not drifted
just wide of the far post shortly before the break.
Barnsley were not without their chances but found Russell Hoult in inspired
form.
It was the Yorkshire club's second defeat in 14 games and they were often
reduced to shots from outside the area.
Bruce Dyer hit straight at Hoult on 54 minutes shortly after coming on as a
substitute and Claridge himself was denied by a diving Miller.
But the Barnsley keeper's best save came in the latter stages of the game. His
brilliant dive denied Neil Shipperley, who latched onto a through ball but could
not beat Hoult from 10 yards.
Teams
Portsmouth: Hoult, Waterman, Moore, Whitbread, Awford,
Panopoulos (Igoe 78), Hughes, Thogersen, Vernazza (O'Neil 89),
Claridge (Whittingham 87), Bradbury.
Subs Not Used: Petterson, Hiley.
Booked: Vernazza.
Goals: Claridge 8, 19, 64.
Barnsley: Miller, Eaden, Appleby, Chettle, Curtis,
Van Der Laan (Thomas 65), Morgan, Barker (Dyer 53), Barnard,
Shipperley, Hignett (Sheron 79).
Subs Not Used: Bullock, Brown.
Booked: Shipperley, Barnard.
Att: 12,201.
Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester).
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