Tonight’s clash with Cheltenham (7.45pm kick-off) is unlikely to provide the same levels of drama as the last time the two sides met on the south coast. The final day of the 2016/17 campaign will go down in Fratton folklore, as Pompey sensationally snatched the League Two title. Paul Cook’s troops needed to win and hope that both Plymouth and Doncaster dropped points to claim the silverware. And that is exactly what happened, with a thumping 6-1 victory ensuring that the Blues – who had not topped the standings all season – finished in first position. A Daniel O'Shaughnessy own-goal was all that separated the teams at half-time, with Kal Naismith's brace and strikes from Kyle Bennett, Jamal Lowe and Gareth Evans completing the rout. There was also a contest at Whaddon Road in the second round of the Papa John’s Trophy midway through last term. Jordy Hiwula’s brace and a maiden Pompey goal for Haji Mnoga saw an unfamiliar line-up ease to a 3-0 success. That did little to dampen the Robins’ mood that season, however, as they claimed the fourth tier title and came within 10 minutes of knocking Manchester City out of the FA Cup. Michael Duff’s men are currently sitting 16th in League One, with Matty Blair making up for an earlier own-goal by scoring a stoppage-time leveller against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. TEAM NEWS Ryan Tunnicliffe is out with a hamstring injury after limping from the pitch towards the end of the first half on Saturday. Skipper Clark Robertson (hip) is still out of action, along with Ellis Harrison (ankle) and Jayden Reid (knee). Paul Downing (hamstring) and Liam Vincent (shin) are not in contention after only recently returning to training. Will Boyle (knee), Taylor Perry (hip), Charlie Raglan (knee) and Callum Wright (knee) are all missing for the visitors. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 2 wins Cheltenham: 0 wins 5 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 1 win Cheltenham: 0 wins 2 draws OFFICIALS Referee: Robert Lewis Assistants: Andy Bennett and Mark Derrien Fourth Official: Scott Jackson BETTING Pompey are the 7/10 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 4/1.
please log in to view this image Two changes for Pompey. Ryan Tunnicliffe misses the match because of the hamstring injury suffered against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, so in comes Louis Thompson into midfield. Secondly, Shaun Williams drops to the bench to be replaced by Joe Morrell in midfield. Gassan Ahadme is named on the substitutes bench.
Half time. 1-1. Cheltenham scored in the 6th minute with a goal by Lewis Freestone, following an error by Reeco Hackett. Pompey equalised in the 32nd minute, with a shot from Reo Hackett from a lovely cross from Mahlon Romeo. Louis Thompson has had an excellent first half, playing well alongside Joe Morrell in midfield.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ...........Away Team: Cheltenham Possession: Home 48% Away 52% Shots: Home 6 Away 7 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 2 Corners: Home 2 Away 4 Fouls: Home 4 Away 5
Final whistle. 1-1 draw. We went close a couple of times, but it wasn't to be. Three Pompey subs used were Shaun Williams for Louis Thompson (who had a very good game) in the 70th minute, Miguel Azeez for Reo Hackett in the 73rd minute, and George Hirst for John Marquis in the 81st minute. Thought that Miguel Azeez looked pretty good after he came on to the pitch, with a decent shot on goal, and some nice passing.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Cheltenham Possession: Home 52% Away 48% Shots: Home 16 Away 12 Shots on Target: Home 5 Away 2 Corners: Home 3 Away 6 Fouls: Home 17 Away 10
Sounds like a very indifferent eprformance from Ppmpey. I ask the question why did Williams have to come on in the 70th minute? Surely someone more attack minded could have come on, and then the other mystery why he continues to bring on a complete blank in Hirst? Surely something else should have been tried because Willaims and Hirst do not really win matches. Good to see Hackett on the scoresheet, though and 14,000 fans turn up.
I'm more annoyed that it took 73 minutes before Miguel Azeez came on. He looks a bright spark, and I have read today that if he doesn't get more minutes on the pitch, there is a good chance that Arsenal will recall him from Pompey in January
I have watched the last two games replayed on ifollow (my self discipline was not strong enough to make me watch the Ipswich replay).Our football has become less attractive and our defensive record better as we have moved away from the 'three at the back' formation. I agree with Woops that Thompson has been reasonably impressive and I now think we should try a mid field of Williams, Morrell and Thompson. Tuncliffe is creative but does not impose himself on the play the same way as Morrell and Thomson can and Williams has better defensive qualities. Tuncliffe would be a good replacement for any of the three from the bench in the right circumstance - or indeed Azeez could be for a more attacking option. I agree with Ides with regard to Hurst. Replacing Marqis 0n 60 to 80 minutes theoretically poses a slightly different problem for the defence after Marquis has run his socks off but it has now been tried too many times without success. Perhaps Harrison, when fit again, will provide a greater contrast to Marqis and a better alternative to Hurst. The above suggestions do leave Reo Hackett out in the cold which is unfortunate because, although not the full answer to our problems at this stage, I do think he has demonstrated potential in a short period of time given his non-league background. PUP
Danny Cowley has confirmed that midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe is set for a spell on the sidelines after a scan confirmed he has torn his hamstring, and is now set to be out for the foreseeable future.
