Match Day Thread Bristol City v Pompey - FA Cup 3rd. Round

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It feels a long time since Pompey won at Hull to secure the Christmas number one spot in the third tier.

The next two games – against Swindon and Bristol Rovers – were postponed following a Covid-19 outbreak, while last Saturday’s scheduled trip to Accrington fell victim to a frozen pitch.

So Kenny Jackett will be relieved to see his side return to action this weekend – albeit with cup progress rather than league points on his mind.

The Blues visit Ashton Gate to take on Championship opposition in the form of Bristol City on Sunday (1.30pm kick-off).

And they have form against sides from that division, having knocked out Norwich and Barnsley in the past two seasons.

The Robins are currently sitting 10th in the table and are just four points outside the play-off spots, having seen their most recent game also called off due to Covid.

They are entering the FA Cup at this stage, while Pompey have already accounted for both Ipswich and King’s Lynn.

It will be the first competitive meeting between the sides since a couple of goalless Championship draws during the 2011/12 campaign.

Pompey were cup holders for a third round tie in January 2009, but needed a replay before triumphing 2-0 at Ashton Gate, courtesy of goals from Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar.

There are no replays in the FA Cup this season, with extra-time and, if needed, penalties used to settle any ties that are level after 90 minutes.

Clubs are now allowed to list nine substitutes on the bench and can use five of them (with an extra change allowed in extra-time).


TEAM NEWS
Pompey have no injury concerns, with Lee Brown having returned to full training following a hamstring injury.

The latest round of Covid-19 testing – which will now become a twice-weekly occurrence – also revealed no further positive results in the Blues ranks.

Cam Pring was recently recalled to Bristol City, but the left-back cannot feature on Sunday, as he has played in the competition for Pompey earlier in the season.

The hosts will be without Kasey Palmer, who is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

They are also missing the injured trio of Jamie Paterson (groin), Callum O’Dowda (hamstring) and Marley Watkins (hamstring).


HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 14 wins
Bristol City: 21 wins
18 draws

At Ashton Gate
Pompey: 5 wins
Bristol City: 14 wins
7 draws


OFFICIALS
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistants: Nik Barnard and Ollie Williams
Fourth Official: Antony Coggins


BETTING
Bristol City are the 3/4 favourites with VBET to reach the next round, while Pompey can be backed at evens.

 

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I am hopefully watching the match live (and free) on FA Player, so will only be on here periodically during the game !

 

Lovely equalizer seconds before half time, made by Andy Cannon's pull back from the byline, and scored by young right back Callum Johnson - his first for the club.

 

Final whistle goes, and it's 2-1 to City, in an entertaining match.

 

Thought we shaded the second half, and Chris Martin scored their winning goal against the run of play. Never the less, we put up a good show against a pretty decent Championship team. Reckon that Kenny Jackett should have sent on Jordy Hiwula ten minutes earlier, in place of Michael Jacobs who looked out of sorts throughout the match.

Why no sign of Ronan Curtis today ? Not even on the bench ! Are Pompey going to cash in on him during the transfer window ? Do hope not !

 

Final Match Stats:-

Home Team: Bristol City ...........Away Team: Portsmouth

Possession:

Home 55%
Away 45%

Shots:

Home 15
Away 17

Shots on Target:

Home 4
Away 6

Corners:

Home 4
Away 2

Fouls:

Home 13
Away 11

 

Hey @1898, good to see you back on here. Hope you are keeping well !