Cliff Richard topped the charts with ‘The Millennium Prayer’, cinemagoers were enjoying Stuart Little and the world was waiting to see what chaos Y2K would bring to computers (spoiler – not much). You have to go all the way back to December 1999 to find the last time that Pompey welcomed Port Vale to Fratton Park. But the sides will now battle it out on the south coast once more in Saturday’s League One fixture (3pm kick-off). The hosts know that victory would see them close the gap on the final play-off spot to just four points, with Bolton not in action due to international call-ups. Their opponents from Staffordshire, meanwhile, appear to be sitting comfortably in 16th position after winning fourth tier promotion via the play-offs last term. Darrell Clarke’s men are nine points clear of the drop zone with the same number of games remaining. But their form in 2023 has not been great – in fact, the Valiants have only won twice since New Year’s Day and were beaten on home soil by Burton last time out. That most recent Fratton contest last century was a goalless affair, although Pompey came out on top at Vale Park earlier in the current campaign, with Dane Scarlett netting the only goal back in August. TEAM NEWS Ronan Curtis (knee), Marlon Pack (knee), Jayden Reid (knee) and Zak Swanson (groin) all remain sidelined for Pompey, while Joe Pigott is suspended. The hosts are also without Joe Morrell and Dane Scarlett, who are on international duty with Wales and England under-20s respectively, Former Blues striker Ellis Harrison is likely to feature for the visitors, having netted 10 times since his summer switch from Fleetwood. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 19 wins Port Vale: 9 wins 8 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 9 wins Port Vale: 6 wins 3 draws TICKETS There is a limited number of seats still available to buy, so click here to secure your seat before they are all gone. Click here to read our matchday guide and find out what is happening around the ground on Saturday. OFFICIALS Referee: Neil Hair Assistants: Leigh Crowhurst and Paul Kelly Fourth Official: Andy Bennett 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 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. 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 Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not available online).
Good to see academy youngster Kobi Mottoh; who scored against Bournemouth this week; on the subs bench today. Ex-Pompey striker Ellis Harrison starts the match for Port Vale, playing alongside Matty Taylor, who when he was an Oxford Utd player, famously grabbed Ronan Curtis by the 'meat and two veg' when the two teams met in the league, in what can only be called a nasty assault !! He never even got booked for it
Half time. 0-2. Disasterous defending by Pompey! We have basically given them both goals They took the lead in the 8th minute, with a goal by that thug Matty Taylor, after we failed to clear the ball in our goalmouth. They went 0-2 up in the 39th minute after Matt Macey's goal kick was intercepted, and Ojo scored. We were awarded a penalty for a shove on Sean Raggett in the box. Colby Bishop's penalty easily saved by their keeper. Pompey lost Paddy Lane in the 35th minute with what looks like a hamstring injury. He was replaced by sub Michael Jacobs. Port Vale have had all three centre backs booked in the first half. Benning for dissent, Robinson for a nasty foul on Louis Thompson, and Smith for conceding the penalty.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Port Vale Possession: Home 54% Away 46% Shots: Home 2 Away 4 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 3 Corners: Home 7 Away 5 Fouls: Home 3 Away 9
Final whistle. 2-2 draw in a match we really should have won, against a very aggressive/brutish side. At half time, Pompey replaced Ryley Towler with Clark Robertson. Tom Lowery replaced Louis Thompson in the 55th minute. We won a penalty when Ellis Harrison fouled Conor Ogilvie in the box. This was tucked away by Colby Bishop in the 67th minute for goal number 23 of the season. Three minutes later in the 70th minute, we drew level at 2-2, with a goal from Michael Jacobs from a Conor Ogilvie cross. The away team's Proctor was booked for preventing us from taking a free kick, and Donnelly was booked for a foul on one of our players.. They committed 20 fouls in the match and had 5 men booked - we had no bookings. Says it all really!!
Final Match Stats:- Home Team:Portsmouth ............Away Team: Port Vale Possession: Home 57% Away 43% Shots: Home 7 Away 5 Shots on Target: Home 3 Away 3 Corners: Home 11 Away 5 Fouls: Home 11 Away 20
Match Highlights:- https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...xw59VGNSZ3JfhB1-PQDZeTO0rbETBh6HCkv1pCuV8JuvQ
Thanks Wooperts for your excellent coverage. Of the chasing bunch seeking that play-off place, it would appear that Posh are ready to claim.either 5th or 6th. Having the firepower they do, they are more likely than ourselves to be involved in the final.shake-up!!
Still quite a few games and over a month left of the season, plenty of time for twists and turns to happen. Still, coming back from 2-0 down shows resilience. Shame the league one Mourinho didn't come in earlier, we may be better placed for a ply off push . On another note, got a ticket to Accrington at home. It'll be my first game in about 20 months I think. Not living in Hampshire anymore I can't get down too often. Looking forward to seeing how the stadium looks now.
Honestly I don't watch much live football. I went to Farnborough away in Oxford and Nuneaton last summer when I was bored one Saturday. That's been about it for live football recently.
