Match Day Thread Gillingham v Pompey

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There might be few sore heads in the away end at Priestfield when Pompey visit Gillingham on New Year’s Day.

But the visitors will be keen to show that there is no hangover from the defeat at MK Dons in the final fixture of 2019.

Kenny Jackett’s men need to improve their away form if they are to close the gap on the top two sides in League One.

But they now face opponents who have won seven times on their own patch this term – a record bettered by only Wycombe and Coventry.

In all competitions, the Kent outfit have been victorious in each of the past seven fixtures played at Priestfield.

It means that Steve Evans’ troops are currently sitting 11th in the League One standings and are just four points adrift of the play-off spots.

They also have an exciting home clash with Premier League side West Ham in the third round of the FA Cup at the weekend.

The Gills won both league meetings with Pompey last season, although it finished goalless at Fratton Park earlier in the current campaign.

TEAM NEWS
Ryan Williams is set to miss the next few games after injuring his groin against Wycombe on Boxing Day.

Ross McCrorie (hamstring), Lee Brown (Achilles) and Brandon Haunstrup (meniscus) are also sidelined.

Bryn Morris (groin) is still in the treatment room, while Jack Whatmough is not yet ready for selection following his knee problem.

Matty Willock (knee) could return for the hosts, who are likely to be without Mark Byrne (knee) for the rest of the season.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 19 wins
Gillingham: 9 wins
8 draws

At Priestfield
Pompey: 7 wins
Gillingham: 7 wins
3 draws

TICKET NEWS
Pompey fans will be able to buy tickets at Gillingham on the day of the game.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Alan Young
Assistants: Nicholas Cooper and George Byrne
Fourth Official: Stephen Brown

BETTING
Pompey are the 6/4 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 7/4.

 

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Gillingham

• 1 Jack Bonham
• 12 Barry Fuller
• 5 Max Ehmer
• 27 Jack Tucker
• 6 Connor Ogilvie
• 14 Alfie Jones
• 4O Stuart 'Keefe
• 24 Thomas O'Connor
• 22 Olly Lee
• 9 Mikael Mandron
• 7 Brandon Hanlan

Substitutes

• 2 Lee Hodson
• 10 Mikael Ndjoli
• 11 Regan Charles-Cook
• 17 Ben Pringle
• 19 Mark Marshall
• 21 Joe Walsh
• 23 Alex Jakubiak

 

Match kicks off.

 

Olly Lee shot well saved by Alex Bass. 3 minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. Tom Naylor (Portsmouth) header from the centre of the box is blocked. 10 minutes.

 

Gareth Evans' free-kick isn't cleared properly by Gillingham and the winger follows up by cracking a right-foot shot that's well kept out by Bonham before the keeper eventually gathers. 11 minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. Gareth Evans (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by James Bolton. 18 minutes.

 

Attempt missed. Thomas O'Connor (Gillingham) left footed shot from outside the box. 19 minutes.

 

Attempt missed. Ellis Harrison (Portsmouth) header from a difficult angle on the right misses to the right. Assisted by Gareth Evans with a cross following a corner. 20 minutes.

 

Attempt saved. Marcus Harness (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. 21 minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gareth Evans. 26 minutes.

 

GOAL FOR POMPEY !!!!!!

 

0-1 to Pompey. Great run by Marcus Harness, and Gareth Evans scores. 36 minutes.

 

Gareth Evans booked for a "soft" foul on keeper Bonham. 38 minutes.

 

45 minutes up - 4 minutes added on.

 

Former Pompey loan player Stuart O'Keefe hits the woodwork with a shot on goal.

 

Whistle goes for half time, and it's 0-1 to Pompey.

 

Half Time Match Stats:-

Home Team: Gillingham ............Away Team: Portsmouth

Possession:

Home 47%
Away 53%

Shots:

Home 6
Away 9

Shots on Target:

Home 1
Away 3

Corners:

Home 1
Away 1

Fouls:

Home 7
Away 11