The Cowley brothers should receive a warm welcome from both sets of fans at Sincil Bank this evening (7.45pm kick-off). Danny and Nicky were at the helm when the home side were promoted from fifth tier to third in the space of just three seasons. They also oversaw the Imps becoming the first non-league side in 103 years to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. That came courtesy of a 1-0 victory at top-flight Burnley in 2017, with a certain Sean Raggett heading home the late winner. And there was also Wembley glory, with Lincoln seeing off Shrewsbury to lift the EFL Trophy a year later. Now led by former Blues boss Michael Appleton, they came close to reaching the Championship last term. A fifth-placed finish and two-legged triumph over Sunderland was followed by a narrow defeat to Blackpool in the play-off final. City are currently down in 16th position, but head into the game on a five-match unbeaten run, including Saturday’s goalless draw at Doncaster. Pompey impressed in their 3-1 success at Sincil Bank last term, with John Marquis’ brace and a Ronan Curtis strike sealing the points for Kenny Jackett’s side. TEAM NEWS Lee Brown is serving a one-match ban after collecting his fifth booking of the season against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. There is a doubt over the availability of John Marquis (tendon), while skipper Clark Robertson (hip) is joined by Ryan Tunnicliffe (hamstring) and Jayden Reid (knee) in the treatment room. Lincoln also have injury concerns, with Liam Bridcutt (knee), Tom Hopper (shin) and Joe Walsh (quad) currently sidelined. Meanwhile, Lewis Fiorini, Adam Jackson, Dan Nlundulu, Anthony Scully and Lasse Sørensen are all carrying knocks. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 11 wins Lincoln: 6 wins 5 draws At Sincil Bank Pompey: 5 wins Lincoln: 3 wins 2 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can purchase tickets (card only) at Sincil Bank this evening. Click here to read a guide for away supporters if you are heading to the game and click here for parking options. OFFICIALS Referee: Ross Joyce Assistants: Paul Newhouse and Mark Stevens Fourth Official: Stephen Wade BETTING Lincoln are the slight 13/8 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 17/10.
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Ross Joyce is today's referee for Lincoln City vs Pompey please log in to view this image Lincoln's record with him in charge - P17 W4 D5 L8 please log in to view this image Pompey's record with him in charge - P5 W4 D0 L1
Half time, and it's 0-1 to Pompey, with a Marcus Harness goal from a pass from Mahlon Romeo after 45 + 3 minutes. Well deserved lead, as we have been dominant in the first half. Two Pompey players booked being Sean Raggett in the 28th minute, and Joe Morrell in the 32nd minute. Strangely enough, the referee seems determined not to book any Lincoln players despite some nasty fouls from behind.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Lincoln City .............Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 51% Away 49% Shots: Home 2 Away 11 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 4 Corners: Home 0 Away 3 Fouls: Home 6 Away 11
Final whistle, and it's a well deserved 3-0 away win for Pompey. Three more points, a clean sheet, and a 5th consecutive win for the team. George Hirst with his first league goal for the club, from a pass by Ronan Curtis, in the 66th minute made it 0-2, and then a third goal scored by left wing back Reeco Hackett in the 89th minute. His free kick was blocked, the rebound came back to him and he scored with a fierce shot. We could have had even more goals, such was our dominance. A shot from Mahlon Romeo struck the inside of a post and bounced back into play with the keeper well beaten. Lincoln had two players booked, being Lewis Montsma and Chris Maguire for fouls on George Hirst and Ronan Curtis respectively. Three Pompey subs on in the second half, being Michael Jacobs for George Hirst (73 minutes), Louis Thompson for Joe Morrell (76 minutes), and Ellis Harrison for Marcus Harness (80 minutes). Marcus Harness has now scored 7 goals in his last 11 games, and 9 all season.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Lincoln City ...........Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 55% Away 45% Shots: Home 11 Away 21 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 6 Corners: Home 3 Away 3 Fouls: Home 13 Away 18
We are playing so much better now Ides. Look at the number of shots in the match for us ! We could easily have scored four or five goals such was our attacking performance. When fit, I cannot see John Marquis coming back into the side for George Hirst who is leading the line so well in his absence.
League One Table As It Stands:- ......................................Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Rotherham United .....18 11 4 3 34 13 +21 ..37 2 Wycombe Wanderers 19 11 4 4 30 21 +9 ....37 3 Plymouth Argyle ........19 10 6 3 32 20 +12 ..36 4 Wigan Athletic ............17 11 2 4 32 15 +17 ..35 5 Sheffield Wednesday .19 8 8 3 26 19 +7 .....,32 6 Sunderland .................17 10 2 5 28 22 +6.... 32 7 Oxford United .............17 9 4 4 29 18 +11.... 31 8 Milton Keynes Dons ...18 9 4 5 33 24 +9 .....31 9 Portsmouth .................19 8 5 6 25 22 +3 .....29 10 Cheltenham Town ....18 7 5 6 24 28 −4 ......26 11 Bolton Wanderers ....19 7 4 8 27 27 0 ........25 12 Burton Albion ...........19 7 4 8 20 23 −3 ......25 13 Ipswich Town ............19 6 6 7 34 29 +5 .....24 14 Charlton Athletic .......19 6 5 8 26 26 0 .......23
I have just watched the ifollow replay. Possibly the most convincing performance of the season. All played well and the win was comfortable. It will be interesting to see the changes that will be made on Saturday as a result of Raggert's absence. Forced changes to a winning side are unfortunate. PUP
