Cheltenham will have to brush off their cup heartache when they make the trip down to Fratton Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Wade Elliott’s side were beaten on penalties at Plymouth earlier in the week, missing out on a trip to Wembley for the Papa Johns Trophy final. Now they can fully focus on trying to maintain their League One status by increasing the three-point gap to the relegation places. The Robins have secured just one victory since the turn of the year, although that was in their last away game at struggling Cambridge on Valentine’s Day. They were soundly beaten on home soil by Barnsley a week ago, ensuring Michael Duff enjoyed a fruitful return to Whaddon Road. He had made more than 300 appearances for the Gloucestershire outfit as a player, then guided them to the League Two title as manager, but departed for Oakwell last summer. Former Bournemouth and Burnley midfielder Elliott stepped up from his role as first team coach to replace Duff in the hot-seat. Pompey have won just one of their previous four home contests with Cheltenham – the 6-1 thumping that secured the League Two title in 2017 – with the others finishing as draws. But they were 2-0 victors in this season’s reverse fixture on a roasting August afternoon, courtesy of a brace from Colby Bishop. TEAM NEWS Pompey have several injured players back in training, although none of them are expected to be available this weekend. The game will likely come too soon for Tom Lowery (hamstring), Jay Mingi (knee), Clark Robertson (hip) and Zak Swanson (groin). And the hosts are definitely still missing Marlon Pack (knee) and Jayden Reid (knee) against Cheltenham. The Robins are without Tom Bradbury (ankle), Lewis Freestone (knee), Will Goodwin (groin) and Ben Williams (hamstring). But Luton loanee Glen Rea could make his first appearance for the side after completing his rehabilitation following a serious knee injury HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 3 wins Cheltenham: 1 win 6 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 1 win Cheltenham: 0 wins 3 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure tickets online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office, although these are selling fast. Subject to availability, they can also be bought from the ticket booth behind the Fratton End on Saturday. The Victory Bar and external North Stand concourse are open from midday, while there is a DJ in the Fanzone. Click here to read a full list of matchday activities. OFFICIALS Referee: Lee Swabey Assistants: Garry Maskell and Helen Edwards Fourth Official: Aji Ajibola MATCH COVERAGE Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday. Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary. Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device. We will have updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story. There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online).
1-0 to Pompey, with a goal from Ryan Tunnicliffe in the 5th minute. Joe Rafferty finds Colby Bishop in the area and he lays the ball off for Ryan Tunnicliffe, who passes the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Elliott Bonds fouls Ronan Curtis and the referee loses his patience with the Cheltenham midfielder, brandishing a yellow card. 14 minutes.
2-0 up now with a goal from Michael Jacobs, in the 20th minute. Owen Dale keeps the ball alive on the right and Joe Rafferty plays it to Colby Bishop, who slides a fine pass into the path of Michael Jacobs. He then takes a couple of touches before firing into the net.
3-0 ahead now !! Ronan Curtis scores the goal in the 26th minute. The home side are flying, with Colby Bishop and Owen Dale combining on the right before Ryan Tunnicliffe squares for Ronan Curtis to fire home a close-range finish.
Charlie Raglan (Cheltenham Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul on Conor Ogilvie. 33 minutes.
Aidan Keena of Cheltenham is booked for a foul on Joe Morrell. 41 minutes. That's their 4th yellow card in the 1st half.
Half time whistle, and it's 3-0 to Pompey. We have totally controlled the first 45 minutes, with an impressive attacking formation. Cheltenham can't get into the match, hence 5 bookings so far, whilst trying to prevent us attacking.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .........Away Team: Cheltenham Possession: Home 77% Away 23% Shots: Home 7 Away 0 Shots on Target: Home 3 Away 0 Corners: Home 1 Away 0 Fouls: Home 2 Away 8
