Striker revels in first league start
It has been a strange few weeks for Ryan Bird.
The striker was recently recalled from a loan spell at Havant & Waterlooville having failed to make much of an impression.
But he netted his first Football League goal soon after – the equaliser at Torquay last week.
And things got even better Bird bagged a brace in Pompey’s 3-2 victory over Exeter, heading in crosses from Yassin Moutaouakil and Andy Barcham.
It was the 25-year-old’s first league start for the club and a game he will not forget in a hurry.
He said: “Scoring two goals in front of the Fratton End – it doesn’t really get any better.
“It was pretty special and is certainly up there with the best moments of my football career.
“It’s so exciting when you score and you can see that the fans are buzzing off it.
“There were two great crosses – they were near enough on a plate for me
“I just had to make the right runs into the box and then make sure I put the ball somewhere the goalkeeper’s not.
“The three goals have helped – as has the first start. I’m getting there and I’m constantly improving.”
The second half headers added to Ricky Holmes’ opener before Exeter pulled two goals back in difficult conditions at Fratton Park.
Bird said: “The wind played a massive part in the game and you can’t see how hard it is until you’re out there.
“In the second half they were just launching the ball into the box and the wind was making it go everywhere.”