Pompey will aim to start the season with a hat-trick of League One wins by beating Shrewsbury on home soil this evening (7.45pm kick-off). Victories over Fleetwood and Crewe have placed Danny Cowley’s side in second place at this extremely early stage. Their opponents, by contrast, are still looking to put their first points on the board following defeats to Burton and Morecambe. They did, however, enjoy a penalty shoot-out triumph over Lincoln to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup. There is also the welcome sight of Steve Cotterill back in the dug-out after a spell in intensive care after contracting Covid-19. He will, of course, be making a return to Fratton Park, having taken charge of the Blues in the Championship between 2010 and 2011. The sides met on the opening day of last season and played out a turgid goalless draw on the south coast. It was more exciting in Shropshire for Cowley’s second match at the helm, when John Marquis both scored and was sent off in a 2-1 victory for Pompey. TEAM NEWS Jayden Reid (knee) and Liam Vincent (shin) are the only players currently in the treatment room, while Callum Johnson is still suspended. The visitors are without defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell, who is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19. Shrewsbury also have injury doubts over forwards Ryan Bowman (hamstring) and Shaun Whalley (hand). HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 15 wins Shrewsbury: 10 wins 4 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 11 wins Shrewsbury: 2 wins 2 draws OFFICIALS Referee: Trevor Kettle Assistants: Ryan Whitaker and Michael Chard Fourth Official: Nicholas Dunn BETTING Pompey are the 7/10 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 21/5.
Half time whistle goes, and it's 1-0 to pompey with a third minute goal from Ryan Tunnicliffe from a Marcus Harness pass. I am watching the game on iFollow, and must say very impressed with our attacking play. Very fluid.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .............Away Team: Shrewsbury Possession: Home 65% Away 35% Shots: Home 5 Away 4 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 1 Corners: Home 4 Away 0 Fouls: Home 7 Away 5
Final whistle......1-0 to Pompey........ Three wins out of three........Clean sheet again. Shrewsbury made a game of it in the second half. Due to injury stoppage time, 8 minutes were added on, but a total of almost 11 minutes were played !! Quite an aggressive Shrews team, especially Aaron Pierre in defence. Cannot believe he was still on the pitch at full time.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ...........Away Team: Shrewsbury Possession: Home 60% Away 40% Shots: Home 9 Away 9 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 4 Corners: Home 5 Away 4 Fouls: Home 11 Away 14
You can only beat what is put in front of you though. In previous seasons we would probably only have drawn or lost some of these games
He reads the game really well. Good distribution, good positional sense, very safe pair of hands. You can understand why Danny Cowley was so keen to sign him on loan for the season from Man. City !!
Fantastic start to the season. Obviously thoughts in my mind from last year being top at Christmas and still not being able to finish play offs.... I know how quickly football can change. But feeling cautiously optimistic. Players did seem to tire later on tho and sat back
No goals conceded thus far. The key components to the side appear to be Bazunu, Robertson (staying fit is vital) and the midfield pairing of Williams and Tunnicliffe. Oñe área of concern is the two bookings Curtis has received in the first three games. Are these in retaliation to rough treatment by his marker?
