Match Day Thread Walsall v Pompey - Leasing.com Trophy - 3rd Round

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Pompey will look to progress in a second cup competition in the space of a few days when they visit Walsall this evening.

Having seen off Fleetwood in the FA Cup at the weekend, they now continue their defence of the Leasing.com Trophy with a third round tie at the Bescot Stadium.

Kenny Jackett’s holders beat Northampton on home soil in the opening knockout round, while their opponents came from two goals down to defeat Chelsea’s youngsters.

The Saddlers have never won this competition – in any of its guises – but did reach the final back in 2015.

Darrell Clarke is currently in charge at the Bescot Stadium, having taken charge following the club’s relegation to League Two at the end of last season.

They had a tough start to the campaign, but have found more consistency in the past couple of months.

Walsall are currently sitting in 11th position, although are still eight points adrift of the play-off spots.

Pompey won 3-2 when the sides met in the midlands for a league contest last March, with goals from Brett Pitman, Omar Bogle and Viv Solomon-Otabor.


TEAM NEWS
Pompey could hand a debut to forward Reeco Hackett-Fairchild following his recent arrival from Bromley.

Lee Brown (Achilles), Ross McCrorie (hamstring) and Ryan Williams (groin) are all still absent for the Blues.

Brandon Haunstrup has returned to training following an operation on his meniscus, but tonight’s game comes too soon for the left-back.

Bryn Morris (groin) is still in the treatment room, while Jack Whatmough is not yet ready for selection following his knee problem.

Walsall boss Darrell Clarke has said that some of his squad are ‘running on empty’ following the hectic festive programme.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 13 wins
Walsall: 7 wins
9 draws

At Walsall
Pompey: 5 wins
Walsall: 4 wins
5 draws

TICKET NEWS
Pompey fans can buy tickets at Walsall this evening.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Assistants: Paul Graham and Richard Morris
Fourth Official: James Bell

BETTING
Pompey are the evens favourites with Sky Bet to progress after 90 minutes, while the hosts can be backed at 21/10.

 

Seven Changes At Walsall - Team news for Leasing.com Trophy tie.

Reeco Hackett-Fairchild comes straight into the Pompey starting line-up for tonight’s Leasing.com Trophy tie at Walsall.

Kenny Jackett has made seven changes from the side that won at Fleetwood in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Christian Burgess, Sean Raggett, Marcus Harness and John Marquis are the only players to keep their place.

Craig MacGillivray returns between the sticks, while there is a first appearance of the season for teenage full-back Haji Mnoga.

Gareth Evans skippers the side, while there are also recalls for Paul Downing, Ben Close and Oli Hawkins.

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Match kicks off.

 

John Marquis shot off target. 4 minutes.

 

Header from Elijah Adebayo straight at Craig MacGillivray. 9 minutes.

 

14 minutes gone. That's a superb bit of play between John Marquis and Oli Hawkins before the former's cross-cum-shot is saved by Roberts for a corner

 

Pring stands up a cross for Adebayo but he can't direct his header on target. 16 minutes.

 

Oli Hawkins through ball and John Marquis wins a corner kick. 23 minutes.

 

GOAL FOR POMPEY !!!!!!

 

0-1 to Pompey ! John Marquis taps the ball into the net, after a header by Christian Burgess, from a corner by Gareth Evans. 23 minutes.

John Marquis with his 7th goal of the season.

 

Pompey should be 2-0 up!

Gareth Evans flights in a lovely cross and John Marquis nods down for Oli Hawkins, but his shot on the spin is blazed well over the bar 30 minutes.

 

Reeco Hackett-Fairchild injured on his debut. Receives treatment for an ankle injury, but is eventually o.k. to continue. 37 minutes.

 

Gareth Evans' free-kick is met by Oli Hawkins but he can't get anything on his shot and Roberts gathered. 38 minutes.

 

Yellow card for Reeco Hackett-Fairchild for his first foul of the match !!

 

45 minutes up. 2 minutes added on.

 

Penalty to Walsall. Sean Raggett fouls Ross Gaffney. 45 +1 minutes.

 

Craig MacGillivray superbly saves the penalty from Elijah Adebayo !! 45 +2 minutes.

 

Half time whistle, and it's 0-1 to Pompey.