The Easter weekend sees Pompey taking on two sides engaged in a desperate battle to beat the drop. Before making the long trip north to Wigan on Monday, Danny Cowley’s side host rock bottom Rochdale on Good Friday (3pm kick-off). But although their opponents are currently propping up the rest of the division, they have games in hand on most of the clubs sitting immediately above them. Scheduled clashes with AFC Wimbledon and Swindon were postponed due to international call-ups, meaning it has been almost a fortnight since the side last took to the pitch. And Brian Barry-Murphy’s men head to the south coast in relatively good form, having claimed four points from matches against promotion chasing Lincoln and Peterborough. They would have felt disappointed not to beat the latter team at Spotland last time out, though, conceding a stoppage-time equaliser from the spot, just moments after taking the lead. It means that Dale are sitting four points adrift of that all-important dotted line, with 10 fixtures left to play. The side with the worst home record in the division have been better on the road, but have a forgettable history at Fratton Park. Rochdale have claimed a single point – back in 1979 – in their six previous visits and were beaten 3-0 last term. TEAM NEWS John Marquis was unsuccessful in his appeal to have the red card collected at Shrewsbury last week overturned. It means that the top scorer will now start a three-game ban, leaving Pompey with no available senior strikers. That is because Ellis Harrison (knee) and Jordy Hiwula (ankle) are both injured, with keeper Alex Bass (foot) also sidelined. Rochdale will be missing Matty Lund (ankle), Abraham Odoh (hip) and Jimmy Ryan (knee), while Stephen Humphrys (hamstring) is also a doubt. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 10 wins Rochdale: 1 win 3 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 5 wins Rochdale: 0 wins 1 draw OFFICIALS Referee: Lee Swabey Assistants: Paul Lister and Michael Begley Fourth Official: Charles Breakspear BETTING Pompey are the 4/7 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 6/1.
Half time, and it's 2-0 to Pompey. Goal from Ryan Williams in the 5th minute, from a Marcus Harness cross. Ronan Curtis scored the second goal in the 37th minute, from a lovely through ball from Michael Jacobs. Michael Jacobs nearly scored when put through, but his shot went just wide of the post. Nasty challenge from Jimmy Keohane on Ronan Curtis who needed treatment. Keohane was booked for the 'challenge'. We are playing some lovely football. Hopefully, some more goals from us in the second half !
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .........Away Team: Rochdale Possession: Home 66% Away 34% Shots: Home 5 Away 4 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 1 Corners: Home 1 Away 4 Fouls: Home 5 Away 4
Final whistle goes, and it's 2-1 to Pompey. Jake Beesley pulled a goal back in the 93rd minute, but we comfortably held on for the three points. Ryan Williams was booked in the 76th minute for a foul. Three subs used by Pompey, being Harvey White for Michael Jacobs in the 65th minute, Andy Cannon for Marcus Harness in the 82nd minute, and Charlie Daniels for Ben Close in the 87th minute. Three more points, three wins out of three matches for Danny and Nicky Cowley, and up to 5th in the table.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Rochdale Possession: Home 61% Away 39% Shots: Home 6 Away 10 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 3 Corners: Home 5 Away 5 Fouls: Home 13 Away 10
A win and three very welcome points. However, a game that reinforced a theme for the season - that the difference between the top and the bottom of the table is not great. Nothing in this win should undermine confidence - or promote overconfidence - going to Wigan. Curtis did well, Harness was impressive in the first half. Whyte did well when he came on but not well enough to displace Jacobs for the next game. PUP
Every single one of those games is winnable. I will certainly play my part by predicting us to lose each and every time in the prediction game.
