Portsmouth started with the pushback and looked to make the most of possession, but Trojans had other ideas. Their energetic press quickly forced Portsmouth onto the back foot and earned the first short corner of the game. Portsmouth defended it well, with the goalkeeper making an important save before the defence cleared the danger and briefly considered an escape. Trojans, however, were having none of it.

The first half became a test of Portsmouth's resilience as Trojans applied sustained pressure. The Portsmouth defence and goalkeeper were kept busy, with the latter seeing far more of the ball than they might have liked. Eventually, Trojans found the breakthrough with a well-struck reverse-stick finish. Matters became more challenging when Portsmouth received a green card, reducing them to ten players, but they dug in admirably to keep the score at 0–1 going into half-time.

The second half saw a revitalised Portsmouth side emerge. With renewed determination and some timely encouragement from Chris Wimshurst, Portsmouth began moving the ball with greater confidence and purpose, allowing for the man of the match, Josh Cooper, to shine through during his first game with the Portsmouth side. Trojans, who had spent much of the first half attacking, suddenly found themselves introduced to the unfamiliar concept of defending due to the unanimous effort of the Portsmouth team.

Portsmouth enjoyed their strongest spell of the match, pressing high and moving the ball well, but despite their efforts they could not find the breakthrough. No short corners, no goals just the growing feeling that the hockey gods might not be wearing Portsmouth colours that day.

The game then swung on a controversial aerial ball decision. What Portsmouth thought was an excellent take from the sky was judged otherwise, and the resulting frustration led to a yellow card and five minute suspension. Trojans seized the opportunity, exploiting the extra space to score their second goal and make it 0–2.

As if to underline the moment, the Portsmouth goalkeeper's stick having loyally served throughout the match, chose that exact point to dramatically explode against the post.

Portsmouth continued to battle until the final whistle, but Trojans saw the game out to secure a 0–2 victory. It was not a day for winning, but it was certainly a day for learning and possibly for shopping for a new goalkeeper's stick.

Final Score: Portsmouth M2 0–2 Trojans M3