Toby Savin heroics deny Portsmouth play-off place

While Accrington Stanley had nothing to play for, Portsmouth required a win to secure a play-off spot. Goalkeeper Toby Savin proved impenetrable, contributing with a string of second-half saves to deny Pompey a top six finish.

Savin signed for the ‘Owd Reds in 2017 but made his full English Football League debut against Peterborough United in September 2020.

The goalkeeper, who recently turned 20, featured 30 times throughout 2020/21. In that time, he kept eight clean sheets, including five in a row at the back end of 2020 and featured in the EFL team of the week on several occasions.

Portsmouth started off brightly and after five minutes of play, the former Crewe Alexandra ‘keeper was called into action. Ronan Curtis slid John Marquis in behind the Accrington defence but Savin timed his 1v1 smother expertly to deny Portsmouth’s top goalscorer.

Accrington grew into the game and took the lead courtesy of Adam Phillips’ 23rd minute stunner. But the visitors were on the back foot for the entire second-half.

Savin was called into action to deny Curtis after 49 minutes. The Irishman drove with the ball from the halfway line and opted to go alone. Pompey’s number 11 let fly but Savin managed to get fingertips on the ball to divert it wide of the post.

Two minutes later, the Southport-born shot stopper had to spread himself again to deny Marquis. Similarly to the first-half, Curtis slid Marquis in behind but Savin anticipated the through ball before rushing out of his goal to narrow the angle.

In the 62nd minute, Savin looked unbeatable after denying substitute George Byers from the edge of the area. Byers did well to wriggle his way through Accrington’s midfield before unleashing a shot towards the bottom left. Savin took the pressure off his defenders by holding on to the strike instead of parrying.

Portsmouth continued to dominate the ball and toy with Accrington to try and play through the lines. In the 84th minute, Marcus Harness poked the ball through Sean McConville’s legs and played substitute Charlie Daniels beyond Accrington’s back-line. Savin positioned himself perfectly to deny the ex-Bournemouth defender.

In the dying embers of encounter, Curtis was hacked down 25-yards from goal and took responsibility for the free-kick. He whipped his shot around the wall but it was a usual response – Savin was positioned to push the ball to safety.

Inevitably, the 20-year old was named man of the match:

“Really good performance. I think the boys defended brilliantly which made my job easier.

“I’d like to say I contributed to the team, and to get this (MOTM) I can’t ask for anymore.

“They definitely came out a new team in the second-half but I think we matched them and defended brilliantly. I think I swept up quite well.

“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions really… starting at 19, starting and finishing the season with 30 odd games under my belt… I’m going into the summer happy!”

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