Match Day Thread Pompey v Exeter - Leasing.com Trophy Semi-Final

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A trip to Wembley is the prize when Pompey host Exeter this evening in the semi-finals of the Leasing.com Trophy.

Kenny Jackett’s side are looking to become the first side to win the competition for a second successive season, following their penalty triumph over Sunderland last March.

Their opponents, meanwhile, have never got past this stage and crashed out in the second round during the 2018/19 campaign.

This term saw them top a group containing Newport – who have also reached the last four – West Ham U21s and Cheltenham.

In the knockout stages, the Grecians have already accounted for League One sides Oxford and Ipswich, as well as Stevenage in the quarter-finals.

Like Pompey, Matt Taylor’s troops are also engaged in a battle for promotion and sit second in the fourth tier table – trailing leaders Swindon on goal difference.

They are currently enjoying a three-match winning run that included a dramatic 3-2 triumph at Macclesfield on Saturday.

The only previous meeting between the sides in this competition came back in 2015, when a young Blues side lost 2-0 in Devon.

TEAM NEWS
Andy Cannon will not be risked after recovering from a glute injury, but is expected to be available for the weekend.

Bryn Morris is running outside again as he continues to step up his recovery from a long-term groin problem.

Exeter are without goalkeeper Jonny Maxted, who injured a muscle in his side during the warm-up of last month’s defeat at Swindon.

Nicky Law (head) and Tom Parkes (ill) both missed the last match, but skipper Jake Taylor returned from an ankle problem.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 13 wins
Exeter: 6 wins
8 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 8 wins
Exeter: 4 wins
1 draw

TICKETS
Pompey fans can secure seats online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office.

Please note that supporters can now buy tickets in the South Stand, but seating around the ground is unreserved and fans are advised to arrive early.

Due to the match being televised live on Sky Sports, there will be fewer than 100 car parking spaces available for fans behind the North Stand. These are priced £5 each and allocated on a first come, first served basis.


OFFICIALS
Referee: Craig Hicks
Assistants: Stuart Butler and Bhupinder Gill
Fourth Official: John Busby

BETTING
Pompey are the 4/7 favourites with Sky Bet to progress after 90 minutes, while the visitors can be backed at 4/1.

 

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Not a bad selection choice there Ides. This would have been just the match to play Brett Pitman up front, but unfortunately, circumstances won't allow it ! We can name quite a strong bench though in case we need to make any changes during the game.

 

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Calm down Lapras, or you will have a seizure

 

Match kicks off.

 

John Marquis is on for injured Ellis Harrison in the 24th minute. Harrison kicked in the hip a few minutes earlier by Exeter player Kite in a challenge.

 

45 minutes up - 2 minutes added on.

 

Half time whistle and it's all square at 0-0.

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Second half kicks off. No changes being made by either team.

 

Fisher booked for a nasty challenge on Christian Burgess. 50 minutes.

 

John Marquis shot from a Steve Seddon corner cleared off the goal line. 53 minutes.