Match Day Thread Rotherham Utd v Pompey

please log in to view this image

 

Pompey will look to put their Papa John’s Trophy frustrations to one side when they return to League One action this weekend.

Danny Cowley’s side head north to face a Rotherham side who were relegated from the Championship last term.

In fact, the men from New York Stadium have become a bit of a yo-yo outfit in recent years, moving either up or down in each of the past five seasons.

A 1-1 draw against Cardiff in Wales on the final day sealed the 2020/21 fate in heart-breaking fashion.

The Millers were staying up until a curling effort from former Blues midfielder Marlon Pack with two minutes remaining condemned them to the drop.

However, Paul Warne – who has been in charge since replacing Kenny Jackett in November 2016 – has got the side off to a positive start in their bid to make a swift return.

United currently sit in fifth position and are just three points off top spot, with Michael Smith – a familiar name to the Fratton faithful – netting seven times in the league.

Goals from Ronan Curtis, John Marquis and Ben Close secured a 3-2 victory when the sides last met at Fratton Park in November 2019.

But the Blues were beaten on their only previous visit to New York Stadium a year earlier, as Smith teed-up Joe Mattock to score a stoppage-time header.


TEAM NEWS
Paul Downing (hamstring) and Ellis Harrison (ankle) are both expected to miss out after limping off injured during Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy defeat to Sutton.

Former Rotherham defender Clark Robertson (hip) is also absent, along with Jayden Reid (knee) and Liam Vincent (shin).

Ronan Curtis will serve a one-match ban after collecting his fifth booking of the season against Sunderland a fortnight ago.

Former Blues loanee Mattock is likely to be available for the hosts after recovering from an Achilles problem, but Jamie Lindsay (hamstring) is injured.


HEAD TO HEAD

Overall
Pompey: 12 wins
Rotherham: 10 wins
10 draws

At Rotherham
Pompey: 3 wins
Rotherham: 8 wins
5 draws


TICKETS
Pompey sold more than 1,100 tickets for the game and collections can be made from the away ticket office.

Please note that away fans cannot buy tickets at New York Stadium, so please do not travel to the ground if you have not bought a ticket.


OFFICIALS
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Assistants: Richard Wigglesworth and Mark Cunliffe
Fourth Official: Matthew Smith


BETTING
Rotherham are the 77/100 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 7/2.

 

please log in to view this image

New York Stadium

 

please log in to view this image

 

Rotherham Utd Starting Line Up:-

• 1 Viktor Johansson
• 23 Rarmani Edmonds-Green
• 6 Richard Wood
• 20 Michael Ihiekwe
• 4 Daniel Barlaser
• 2 Wes Harding
• 18 Oliver Rathbone
• 8 Ben Wiles
• 14 Mickel Miller
• 24 Michael Smith
• 9 Will Grigg

Substitutes

• 7 Kieran Sadlier
• 10 Freddie Ladapoo
• 11 Chiedozie Ogbene
• 17 Shane Ferguson
• 19 Joshua Kayode
• 22 Hakeem Odoffin
• 31 Josh Vickers

 

Match kicks off.

 

Shaun Williams shot from around 30 yards is tipped over the bar by keeper Johannson. 5 minutes.

 

Attempt missed. Mahlon Romeo (Portsmouth) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is just a bit too high. Assisted by Joe Morrell following a corner. 6 minutes.

 

Edmond-Green shot well saved by Gavin Bazunu, who has taken a knock to his head. 17 minutes.

 

Attempt saved. Marcus Harness (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is saved. 23 minutes.

 

1-0 to Rotherham, with a headed goal from ex-Pompey striker Michael Smith. 29 minutes.

 

Attempt missed. Marcus Harness (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.

 

Attempt missed. Michael Smith (Rotherham United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by William Grigg.

 

Michael Ihiekwe (Rotherham United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul on Gavin Bazunu. 41 minutes.

 

45 minutes up - 2 minutes added on.

 

Half time whistle. 1-0 to the home team.

 

Half Time Match Stats:-

Home Team: Rotherham .........Away Team: Portsmouth

Possession:

Home 48%
Away 52%

Shots:

Home 4
Away 4

Shots on Target:

Home 2
Away 2

Corners:

Home 2
Away 2

Fouls:

Home 7
Away 5

 

Second half kicks off.

 

GOAL FOR POMPEY !!!!!!

 

1-1 now with a goal from Marcus Harness, from outside the box, from a pass by Ryan Tunnicliffe. 49 minutes.