It was a little over three weeks ago when Pompey made the trip home from the Kassam Stadium feeling extremely hard done by. They had led at Oxford with just a few minutes remaining, despite having to play most of the contest with just 10 men following an extremely harsh red card for Joe Morrell. But the hosts struck twice at the death to ensure a battling Blues performance ultimately counted for nothing. Now Danny Cowley’s men have a chance to put things right when the sides meet again – this time at Fratton Park – this evening (7.45pm kick-off). They are unbeaten in four games since that loss, with a trio of victories followed by Saturday’s dramatic draw with Fleetwood. Their opponents are in fourth spot and just four points second-placed Wigan, albeit having played three matches more. United enjoyed their own fightback at the weekend, twice battling back from a goal behind before eventually beating Oxford 4-2 on home soil. Karl Robinson has guided them to the play-offs in each of the past two seasons, but they lost at Wembley after beating Pompey on penalties two years ago and were knocked out by Blackpool last term. The most recent clash between the sides at Fratton Park finished 1-1, as Sean Raggett’s opener was cancelled out by an Alex Gorrin spot-kick. TEAM NEWS Pompey are without Kieron Freeman (ankle), Michael Jacobs (knee) and Shaun Williams (back), while Jayden Reid (knee) and Liam Vincent (shin) remain sidelined. Ronan Curtis begins a two-match suspension after receiving his 10th league booking of the season at the weekend. Oxford captain Elliott Moore is set for a spell on the sidelines after undergoing a scan for an ankle problem. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 26 wins Oxford: 24 wins 21 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 17 wins Oxford: 4 wins 12 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure tickets online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office. Supporters can also purchase seats, subject to availability, from the booth behind the Fratton End this evening. Covid certification is no longer required to attend, but Portsmouth Football Club respectfully ask all supporters to adhere to the Code of Conduct to ensure an enjoyable and safe matchday experience for all. OFFICIALS Referee: Sam Allison Assistants: Michael Chard and Michael Webb Fourth Official: Mark Stevens MATCH COVERAGE Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live by purchasing an iFollow match pass and visiting the match centre. Domestic iFollow subscribers can also enjoy audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham as usual, but will need to purchase a match pass if they want to watch the game. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent. BETTING Pompey are the 29/20 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 17/10.
Good to see that Aiden O' Brien starts the match up front alongside George Hirst. With Ronan Curtis starting a two match ban, Marcus Harness will play just behind the front two. On the bench tonight is fit again teenage left back Liam Vincent, who has been out injured since he signed from Bromley in pre season. Oxford have former Pompey winger Ryan Williams, and ex-loanee Steve Seddon in their starting line up, and ex-Pompey keeper Simon Eastwood on the bench.
Half time whistle, and it's Pompey who lead Oxford 2-1, after a sizzling first half ! Oxford took a third minute lead with a goal from Marcus Browne. We equalised in the 42nd minute with a superb header from Sean Raggett, from a Joe Morrell cross. After 45 + 2 minutes, we deservedly took the lead with a lovely calm finish from George Hirst, from a neat pass by Marcus Harness. Oxford are a very good footballing side, but why are they timewasting and cheating on virtually every occasion. Even their revolting manager Karl Robinson joined in, when he refused to hand a Pompey player the ball to take a throw in, and throw it on the pitch himself - very unsporting
Half-Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Oxford Utd Possession: Home 59% Away 41% Shots: Home 6 Away 4 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 1 Corners: Home 1 Away 1 Fouls: Home 8 Away 9
Thank you Pompey for that win. I didn't see the match but it must have been one of Pompey's best performances of the season against one of the best teams in the division. Perhaps PFC can halt the promotion push of others that they have to play like Plymouth and Ipswich to possibly be in contention for one of those much-coveted play-off places. 8 more wins would put PFC on 75. I am in dreamland, of course but it will be frustrating to get to something like 70 points knowing the play-offs were so close. (19 points from 13 games) All we can do is take it one match at a time.
Final whistle. Fantastic 3-2 home win for Pompey, the three points taking us up to 10th in the table. We took a 3-1 lead in the 58th minute with a fine volleyed goal from the very impressive Hayden Carter who was named man of the match. In the 81st minute, the visitors pulled a goal back through Mcnally. We defended well, and hung on for the win. Pompey used all three subs, replacing Denver Hume with Clark Robertson, Marcus Harness with Ryan Tunnicliffe, and George Hirst with Tyler Walker. Two bookings, one for each side, Hayden Carter for a foul, and Sam Long for a high kick to the head of Tyler Walker (should it have been a red card?!)
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Oxford Utd Possession: Home 43% Away 57% Shots: Home 9 Away 13 Shots on Target: Home 5 Away 3 Corners: Home 3 Away 4 Fouls: Home 12 Away 14
