Wycombe goal hero owns up about spot-kick experience
Ryan Taylor stepped up with the weight of Pompey expectation on his shoulders.
With just one win in their last 15 games, the striker needed to score from the spot after Wes Fogden had been felled in the box at Wycombe.
But that is exactly what he did, calmly stroking the ball home after Matt Ingram had gone the wrong way.
Taylor’s winning goal looked like it had been converted by a man with plenty of experience at taking penalties.
But, in fact, it was the 25-year-old’s first ever spot-kick in competitive first team football.
He said: “I ran straight over to the ball and grabbed it. I’ve never taken a senior penalty before, so I was a bit nervous as I was walking up.
“I saw the goalkeeper move early, so I just put it to the other side – he made my mind up for me really.
“I’ve scored a couple of goals for Pompey now, but I want to get even more. If I keep getting into good positions in the box then hopefully I can do that.
“It’s the first win we’ve had in a while and it was nice to keep the clean sheet as well.
“It was a solid performance from the boys and it was a happy dressing room after the game.
“From goalkeeper to the strikers – everyone did a good job. It was that team performance that ensured we got the win.”
Taylor now hopes Pompey can build on their victory when they host struggling Torquay this weekend.
He said: “There are a lot of positives for us to take ahead of another tough game on Saturday against a side near us.
“But we’re confident of getting another three points and continuing to climb up that league table.”