Pompey are aiming to halt a run of three successive League One losses when they host Plymouth this evening (7.45pm kick-off). The tightness of the division at this early stage, however, means that a win could see them climb from 15th to 6th. Standing in their way is an in-form Argyle outfit that know three points of their own would secure top spot. Ryan Lowe’s men have only been beaten once in third tier so far this term – a 2-0 reverse at Rotherham on the opening day. Their other games on the road have resulted in a 3-0 success at Shrewsbury and 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon. A cool finish from Ryan Hardie early in the second half proved enough to secure a maximum haul at Plough Lane on Saturday. It means that fans will be confidently eyeing a challenge for the Championship and certainly an improvement on last season’s finish of 18th. Both of the 2020/21 meetings between the sides finished all square at 2-2, with late goals from Ronan Curtis and James Bolton salvaging a point for the Blues at Fratton Park. TEAM NEWS Connor Ogilvie (quad) and skipper Clark Robertson (hip) will both miss out after collecting injuries ahead of Saturday’s game. The defensive duo join long-term absentees Jayden Reid (knee) and Liam Vincent (shin) on the sidelines. An ankle problem will deny James Bolton the chance to feature against his former club, while Plymouth are also missing George Cooper (knee) and Niall Ennis (hamstring). HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 28 wins Plymouth: 25 wins 16 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 18 wins Plymouth: 10 wins 6 draws OFFICIALS Referee: Carl Brook Assistants: Stephen Brown and Michael Webb Fourth Official: Justin Amey BETTING Pompey are the 21/20 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 14/5.
Half time, and it's 1-0 to Pompey with a 6th minute goal from a free kick by skipper Lee Brown, after a foul by Grant on the edge of the penalty area.. We are playing well for a change, with some lovely free flowing passing. Long may it continue ! Watching on iFollow.
Half Time match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .............Away Team: Plymouth Possession: Home 55% Away 45% Shots: Home 5 Away 5 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 1 Corners: Home 2 Away 3 Fouls: Home 9 Away 3
Final whistle. 2-2 draw. Quite an exciting match ! Two goals from Ryan Hardie who appeared to be wearing a green condom on his head after cutting his ear after colliding with an advertising board, in the 48th and 80th minutes. The match looked dead and buried for us at this point, but the introduction of Reeco Hackett-Fairchild for defender Lee Brown in the 85th minute, and then Ellis Harrison for defender Kieron Freeman in the 88th minute, by Danny Cowley, was truly inspired. A left wing cross by Ronan Curtis was headed back into the box by Ellis Harrison, for Sean Raggett to score an equalising goal right at the death !
Phew. A batting draw by the sounds of it. Still far from convinced that 4, 2, 3,1 is the way forward. I would try Hirst and Harrison in a básic 4,4,2 formation. Must be time to.recall Jacobs as Curtis is getting booked all the time.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ...........Away Team: Plymouth Possession: Home 62% Away 38% Shots: Home 15 Away 14 Shots on Target: Home 4 Away 7 Corners: Home 9 Away 4 Fouls: Home 11 Away 6
please log in to view this image Nice to see both sets of supporters providing a minute's applause in the 10th minute of tonight's game in memory of 10 year old Sophie Fairall, who sadly passed away earlier this week from cancer. RIP Sophie
I watched this tonight as well Wooperts. Are you sure your TV was tuned in to the same game? Your favoured tactic seemed to be play it around a couple of times at the back and then for your Keeper to lump it up the pitch as far as he could. I was rather surprised at the number of times it happened. The only free flowing passing seemed to be one of your players kicking Camara to another player who then had another go. Second half was much better though and Pompey just about scraped the draw. I just knew they would somehow.
The annoyance with Camara, stems from what he did to Joe Morrell in the first half., whilst he was lying on the pitch Why do you think Ronan Curtis shoved him over ?! Camara is a decent player but has a nasty edge to his play. Did you miss the deliberate hand ball by one of your defenders in the penalty box in the second half ? A clear penalty to my mind, but never mind, delighted with a point
Camara hasn't got a nasty side and your player made a meal of nothing. Why did he step over Camara whilst he was on the floor when it wasn't necessary? I will give you the handball but what about the shove on Jepcott to raise you one? Your players targeted Camara and did everything they could to get him off the pitch by any means fair or foul. Mostly foul. It's ok being a bit blinkered in favour of your own but not totally blind. You should be delighted with the point.
A better game to watch. I think the jury is still out as to whether this squad is an improvement on last years but I do think Crowley teams are better to watch by and large. Since Whatmough, Close, and Naylor were all players Crowley wanted to keep but were moved on because they would not accept reduced terms I suppose it could be said that if the current squad is on par with the previous, but are more economical, it is a management achievement of sorts - but not one to satisfy the fans.
