It’s reported that Portsmouth fans chose to fight each other with seats ripped out whilst they saw their side lose at Rotherham on Saturday.
1,242 Pompey fans were in attendance at the New York Stadium, however, they ended up going home far from happy with what they witnessed.
Michael Smith moved into double figures for the season as his brace helped the Millers storm to a 4-1 win over Portsmouth.
An intense second-half spell took the game away from Pompey who had levelled earlier in the half.
Portsmouth keeper Gavin Bazunu came to their rescue early on as he denied Rarmani Edmonds-Green from close range after he looked bound to score.
He could do little about Rotherham’s 29th minute opener when Wes Harding sent in a cross to the far post with that headed in by former Pompey man Smith.
Portsmouth drew level after 49 minutes with Marcus Harness finding space on the edge of the box and finishing superbly into the bottom corner.
But the goal provoked a big response from Rotherham with three goals in seven minutes.
Smith found his second with 55 minutes gone, backheeling home at the second attempt after Bazuna fumbled a shot from Ollie Rathbone.
Rotherham grab another after 60 minutes with skipper Richard Wood rising highest to power in Dan Barlaser’s free kick.
Ben Wiles got in on the act in the 62nd minute to round off the scoring with a powerful finish from Mikel Miller’s pass.
Meanwhile, in the stands, there are reports that Portsmouth fans were fighting each other with seats ripped out at Rotherham. One fan was spotted on video getting ejected.
Twitter users gave their reaction to what happened at the game…
@jakemeyers2015: Cop out for Cowley. He picked the team today, he chose the sub’s, and he got it wrong. He also used the funds he had to overload the midfield, when we were crying out for a striker.
@DJKirby14: Exactly This☝️ His signings weren’t forced upon him & his best is a loanee GK! I get he wasn’t hired for transfer nous; but to coach & improve the maj of the squad that we had & bring through youth… but I’m afraid that’s not happening either. Will it gets worse before better?😬
@sunnyboy12345: I don’t think we deserve better. We’re where we deserve to be. The ownership aren’t interested, and Cowley’s got his share of responsibility. Not come out with the same excuses and, platitudes. People of Portsmouth this that and the other. Need a response on Tuesday.
@ashleyarnell3: Feel sorry for Clark Robertson who took his son in the Pompey end yesterday. Having to sit there and watch moronic fans fight their own is ridiculous. Fans as embarrassing as players sometimes. #Pompey
@PaulWickson: I hope they’re identified & locked up 🤬🤬
@kevjohnson77: #Pompey fans fighting with each other and pulling seats out….. Stay classy lads
@pompeyjosh1990: Some Pompey fans are fucking laughable though- trying to scrap with eachother
@lewieboy: Pompey fans telling the cowley brothers to fuck off the full time whistle 🤣 I’ve seen it all now Jesus #pompey
#Pompey 4-1 down. Fans fighting each other and getting kicked out.
Still don’t blame the Cowley’s as he is working with what he has…
But the owners/club/squad in general need to do better.
We deserve better.
I’m tired. pic.twitter.com/BIhGHN2IPf
— Ronnie (@frattonendblog) October 16, 2021
Rotherham manager Paul Warne heaped praise on “colossal” Michael Smith following his side’s 4-1 romp over Portsmouth.
“Obviously strikers are judged by their goalscoring. I don’t just judge them on that. He has been colossal and he leads the line really well. He works hard in the gym and on the training ground and he is getting his just rewards,” the Millers manager said.
“He was excellent, as he has been in many games, and he was unplayable at times. He is the one who takes the headlines because of his goals but I thought the midfield three were really good and Mikel (Miller) had an amazing performance out left.”
Warne, whose team are fifth in the League One table, added: “I am really pleased, Portsmouth are a good team and you can see they’re really well coached.
“To score four goals at home against a team like that is pleasing.
“After us giving the ball away needlessly and them scoring, it’s a really good reaction from the lads. To then go on and perform the way they did is really impressive.
“Momentum is always good. The more games you win the better but it’s where you are at the end of the season.”
Portsmouth head coach Danny Cowley hailed Smith as the best striker in the league but was critical of his team.
He said: “Credit to Rotherham because they showed us what a good team in League One looks like. They have pace, power and athleticism and probably the best number nine (Smith) in the league.
“We came out the second half as the better team, score and we thought we really had the rhythm and we could push on and then we conceded a really bad goal.
“You can’t concede three goals in seven minutes. We have to look at it and learn from it and try and get better. If we want to be a good team you have to be resilient and determined.”
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