There are just two games remaining for Pompey to claim a play-off spot and ensure their season is extended beyond May 9. And the first of them sees a maiden trip to the new Plough Lane to take on AFC Wimbledon on Saturday (3pm kick-off). While the visitors are trying to reach the Championship, their opponents want to secure their third tier status for another campaign. It looks as though they have already done enough, though, with a six-point gap to Rochdale and Northampton in the drop zone and a superior goal difference over both sides. They were in the bottom four following a home defeat to Fleetwood on Easter Monday – but that is the last time the Dons have tasted defeat. Head coach Mark Robinson – who replaced Glyn Hodges in January – has guided the side to a six-match unbeaten run that includes four victories. Like Pompey, they were involved in a six-goal thriller earlier in the week, with Joe Pigott’s stoppage-time strike earning a point against struggling Rochdale. Goals from John Marquis, Ryan Williams, Sean Raggett and Ben Close secured a 4-0 Blues victory when the sides met on the south coast earlier in the season. But a late Terell Thomas header ensured Wimbledon took all three points in the most recent away meeting – which took place at Kingsmeadow – last term. TEAM NEWS Alex Bass (foot), Ellis Harrison (knee) and Michael Jacobs (knee) are all out, while Jack Whatmough completes a four-match ban. But Lee Brown is available again following a hamstring problem, while Jordy Hiwula (ankle) has returned to training. Callum Reilly (ankle) is sidelined for the hosts, while there are doubts over the fitness of Ethan Chislett (Achilles) and Darnell Johnson (ankle). HEAD TO HEAD* Overall Pompey: 18 wins Wimbledon: 14 wins 9 draws At Wimbledon Pompey: 6 wins Wimbledon: 10 wins 4 draws *Includes matches against Wimbledon FC OFFICIALS Referee: Charles Breakspear Assistants: Michael Webb and Andy Bennett Fourth Official: Conor Farrell BETTING Pompey are the 29/20 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 19/10.
AFC Wimbledon Starting Line Up: 13Tzanev 7Alexander 22Heneghan 5Nightingale 18Guinness-Walker 29Longman 24Dobson 4Woodyard 12Rudoni 9Palmer 39Pigott Substitutes 2O'Neill 10Harrison 16Oksanen 17Assal 19McLoughlin 21Cox 30Kalambayi
Half time whistle, and it's 1-3 to Pompey !!....Wimbledon played very well for the first 20 minutes, and took the lead in the 23rd minute with a goal from Joe Piggott, which was allowed by the referee despite the fact that the linesman had his flag up for offside ! Pompey equalised a minute later with a goal from Ronan Curtis (his 14th of the season), from a Marcus Harness pass. Left back Lee Brown in his first match back after injury then scored in the 45th minute with his first goal of the season, and just 4 minutes later added his second goal following a lovely run and finish. The Wombles have had three players booked in the first half, and have been extremely aggressive in their tackles on Pompey players. Ronan Curtis was booked for retaliation after twice being fouled in rapid succession.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Wimbledon .........Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 44% Away 56% Shots: Home 8 Away 7 Shots on Target: Home 5 Away 4 Corners: Home 2 Away 0 Fouls: Home 10 Away 7
Final whistle. 1-3 to Pompey. Three invaluable points towards our play offs target. We controlled the second half, and could even have added further goals to our tally. Three second half substitutions for Pompey, bringing on Harvey White for Ronan Curtis after 84 minutes, George Byers for Marcus Harness in the 88th minute, and Andy Cannon for Ben Close after 90 + 1 minutes.
Out destiny is in our own hands - win next week and we're in the playoffs. Anything less and we rely on other results going our way
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Wimbledon .........Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 37% Away 63% Shots: Home 16 Away 16 Shots on Target: Home 8 Away 5 Corners: Home 2 Away 3 Fouls: Home 13 Away 10
Squeaky bum time. Next week we could occupy 4 different positions during the course of the afternoon. We could be as high as 5th or as low as 8th. Afternoon the game has finished, I'd be happy with 6th.
I have watched the replay. A little disappointed that we offered AFC too many clear chances in the first half but also impressed with Brown's finishing and the way we controlled the game in the 2nd half. I think win or lose next week ( and possibly in the subsequent play-offs) the Cowleys will be the management next season. I am not totally convinced Jackett could not have had a good run and got us to the position we are now in . I know the team went badly prior to his dismissal but he got us to the top of the league at Christmas and who is to say he would not have had a similar good run to the one we have just had? We will never know. So what has improved? Well I think the possession statistics have improved. The negative consequence is that this makes it harder to score on the break but the positive is that possession is the best form of defense. But the telling positive is that it has been slightly better football to watch. A considerable negative of the Jackett era was that the football was not always easy on the eye. So the Cowley's have achieved a creditable pass mark so far and it will not be annulled if we fail next Saturday. However, there are two distinct aspects to management. The ability to recruit well and then the ability to get the best from the players you have. Because of the timing of their appointment the Crawleys have reversed the order of these two aspects. They have used the available talents reasonably well but how well they recruit in the summer is an open question.
I imaginé two lists being prepared as we speak. Oñe, if promotion is secured, the other for an assault on promotion from League 1. Neither can be implemented yet, if we participate in the play-offs, fingers crossed.
