Match Day Thread Lincoln City v Pompey

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The final day of the League One campaign is set to be an exciting one, with the battle for promotion, play-off spots and survival all reaching a climax.

Pompey, however, can enjoy their trip to Lincoln (12.30pm kick-off) knowing that the title has already been wrapped up.

But it is a different story for their opponents, who are trying to maintain their position inside the top six.

Michael Skubala’s men know that a victory would likely be enough to secure an extension to their campaign into May.

Even a draw or a defeat could be sufficient, though, if two of Barnsley, Oxford and Blackpool drop points.

Having initially endured a tough start after replacing Mark Kennedy in November, Skubala has dragged the Imps up the table.

They were on a 16-match unbeaten run until losing to Wigan a fortnight ago, which included successive routs of Barnsley (5-1), Cambridge (6-0) and Bristol Rovers (5-0) last month.

And Lincoln bounced back from that Latics reverse to beat play-off rivals Oxford and struggling Cheltenham, ensuring they go into the final day in a positive position.

Goals from Paddy Lane and Regan Poole saw Pompey battle from behind to win 2-1 when the sides met on the south coast earlier in the season.

The Blues head to Sincil Bank having not lost on any of their past six visits, with City’s last home success coming all the way back in 1980.

Portsmouth Football Club would like to remind fans that it is a criminal offence to enter the pitch. Please remain in the stands at the final whistle, so that the players can come over to you and show their thanks for your superb backing during the course of a memorable season.


TEAM NEWS
Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom McIntyre (ankle), Joe Morrell (knee), Regan Poole (knee), Anthony Scully (ankle) and Alex Robertson (hamstring) are all out.

But Terry Devlin could make a first appearance in almost three months after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Lincoln's Reeco Hackett joins Poole and Scully in not being able to feature against his former club after hurting his shoulder.


VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Joe Rafferty ahead of the game.



HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 14 wins
Lincoln: 6 wins
7 draws

On the road
Pompey: 6 wins
Lincoln: 3 wins
3 draws


OFFICIALS
Referee: Sunny Singh Gill
Assistants: Johnathon Bickerdike and Bradley Hall
Fourth Official: Scott Jackson


TICKETS
Pompey have sold their full allocation, so please do not travel to the game if you do not already have a ticket.


PRE-MATCH EVENTS
Like Wigan last week, Lincoln will provide a guard of honour to welcome the newly crowned League One champions onto the pitch.

Both sides will lay a wreath in front of the Stacey West Stand to remember those who lost their lives – including two Lincoln fans – in the 1985 Valley Parade disaster.

A period of silence will then be held, which begins and ends on the referee’s whistle.


MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live by purchasing an iFollow match pass and visiting the match centre.

Domestic iFollow subscribers can also enjoy audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham as usual, but will need to purchase a match pass if they want to watch the game.

Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device.

We will have key updates throughout the game on Twitter and a detailed blog via the match centre.

There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not available online).

 

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............ HOME SHIRT..............................AWAY SHIRT

 

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Lincoln City Starting Line Up:-

1 Lukas Jensen GK
5 Adam Jackson DF
15 Paudie O'Connor (C) DF
25 Alex Mitchell DF
2 Lasse Sørensen MF
23 Sean Roughan MF
18 Ben House MF
14 Daniel Mandroiu MF
6 Ethan Erhahon MF
34 Freddie Draper FW
9 Joseph Taylor FW

Substitutes

12 Jordan Wright
22 Timothy Eyoma
16 Jack Burroughs
28 Jack Moylan
17 Dylan Duffy
27 Jovon Makama
19 Tyler Walker

 

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Ryley Towler starts for Pompey in the final match of the League One campaign at Lincoln this afternoon.

He replaces Sean Raggett in one of six changes from the side beaten on home soil by Wigan last Saturday.

Jack Sparkes comes in at left-back, with the fit-again Tom Lowery handed a spot in the centre of midfield.

There are also returns for forward Paddy Lane and loanees Tino Anjorin and Myles Peart-Harris at Sincil Bank.

The other players to make way at Connor Ogilvie, Owen Moxon, Marlon Pack, Abu Kamara and Christian Saydee.

 

Watching on iFollow. Back at half time.

 

Half time. 0-0. We have had majority of the play, and looked very sharp. Good first half from Tom Lowery and Tino Anjorin in central midfield.

Tino Anjorin goal disallowed by the referee because of a collision in the penalty area between Colby Bishop and Jenson the Lincoln keeper. Left back Jack Sparkes playing more as a left winger. Not impressed with the referee who appears to my mind to favour the home team with his decisions!

 

Half Time Match States:-

Home Team: Lincoln City .........Away Team: Portsmouth

Possession:

Home 26%
Away 74%

Shots:

Home 6
Away 5

Shots on Target:

Home 0
Away 1

Corners:

Home 0
Away 1

Fouls:

Home 5
Away 8

 

Final whistle after 13 minutes added on!! 0-2 to Pompey. Our goals came in the 81st minute through Myles Peart-Harris, and 90 + 12 minutes a goal from Paddy Lane with his 12th of the season, after Abu Kamara had hit the post.

The referee completely lost control of the match with some very strange decisions, mostly in the home team's favour, including yellow cards for coaches John Mousinho/Jon Harley/ Joe Prodomo all for berating the 4th official for the ref's behaviour .

Added to which, Lincoln had a poor penalty saved by Will Norris.

Thank the Lord we have finally escaped this weird division

 

Final Match Stats:-

Home Team: Lincoln City ............Away Team: Portsmouth

Possession:

Home 32%
Away 68%

Shots:

Home 12
Away 11

Shots on Target:

Home 2
Away 6

Corners:

Home 6
Away 4

Fouls:

Home 14
Away 14

 

Final League One Table:-

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Today's Attendance: 10,006 (1,095 Pompey fans)