Pompey fans could have been forgiven for letting out a loud groan when they woke to the news on Monday morning. Storm Franklin meant the River Severn had flooded areas of Shropshire, including Shrewsbury town centre. Thankfully the football ground is located further away and this evening’s League One contest (7.45pm kick-off) is set to go ahead as scheduled. The heavy rain – this time from Storm Eunice – had already caused both clubs to see their matches at the weekend get postponed. There was a controversial decision to call off the Blues’ match at Crewe just over an hour before kick-off, when the surface appeared fine by 3pm. The Shrews’ scheduled home contest with Morecambe also fell victim to a waterlogged pitch, leaving them 18th in the table and just four points above the drop zone. Steve Cotterill’s side are currently on a seven-match winless run in the league, although that does include five draws. Ryan Tunnicliffe’s early strike was enough to secure all three points for Pompey when the teams met on the south coast back in August. They also won 2-1 at Shrewsbury last season – which was Danny Cowley’s first away match in charge – thanks to goals from Marcus Harness and John Marquis, with the latter also being sent off. TEAM NEWS Pompey are without Kieron Freeman (ankle) and Shaun Williams (back), while Jayden Reid (knee) and Liam Vincent (shin) remain sidelined. Joe Morrell is still suspended for one more fixture following his harsh red card at Oxford, while Mahlon Romeo (ankle) is a doubt. Defender Tom Flanagan could make his full debut for Shrewsbury following a January switch from Sunderland, but Shaun Whalley (thigh) is injured. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 16 wins Shrewsbury: 10 wins 4 draws On the road Pompey: 4 wins Shrewsbury: 8 wins 2 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure tickets at Shrewsbury this evening and more details can be found here. With flooding around the town centre, fan may experience some travel disruption. Visit the @ShrewsFCPolice Twitter account for updates. OFFICIALS Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge Assistants: Ian Smedley and Billy Smallwood Fourth Official: Paul Graham 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. BETTING Pompey are the 27/20 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 19/10.
please log in to view this image First start tonight for Aidan O'Brien in place of Tyler Walker. Jay Mingi named on the subs bench for the first time.
Half time score is 1-1. Leahy scored in the 14th minute for the Shrews. Pompey equalised i the 29th minute, with a goal from Denver Hume. Shrewsbury made a substitution in the 22nd minute. In the 31st minute, Shrews down to ten men with a straight red card awarded to Josh Vela for a shocking foul on Ronan Curtis. We have attacked well, and could have scored more. George Hirst saw a powerful header brilliantly saved by their keeper Marosi just before half time.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Shrewsbury ............Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 31% Away 69% Shots: Home 4 Away 8 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 2 Corners: Home 3 Away 3 Fouls: Home 8 Away 4
Final whistle goes and it's a 2-1 away win for Pompey. That's three wins on the trot.. In the 69th minute, Start of the second half, Marcus Harness replaced Hayden Carter, with Pompey going to a back four in defence. In the 65th minute, Aidan O'Brien was replaced by Tyler Walker. Louis Thompson got a yellow card for a foul in the 69th minute. Pompey replaced Mahlon Romeo with Reeco Hackett in the 80th. minute. In the 84th. minute, Louis Thompson scored a beauty from a Reeco Hackett pass to win the match. The Shrews had played time wasting tactics up until we scored, but as soon as they went behind, those tactics amazingly stopped - how strange, eh?!!
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Shrewsbury ...........Away Team: .Portsmouth Possession: Home 28% Away 72% Shots: Home 8 Away 15 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 6 Corners: Home 7 Away 7 Fouls: Home 9 Away 12
Three wins on the spin cannot be bad! All theoretically should win games but to win three 'should wins' on the trot is not that common. Another O'Brian goal.- his second in two games .Neither was memorable but perhaps scoring cumulative 'unremarkable' goals is the hallmark of a striker. Walker may have potential but the potential of a loanee - as far as a host club is concerned - is what they can offer now! .At this stage O'Brian appears to have more to offer between now and the end of the season. Thompson continues to improve and impress. I look forward to seeing he and Morrel establishing a hold on the mid field in upcoming games. Hume had a good game and appears to be establishing a good understanding with Curtis. PUP
Firstly, I note that Pompey's first goal has now been awarded to Aiden O'Brien who apparently deflected Denver Hume's shot passed Marosi. Secondly, Louis Thomson's goal was his first league goal since November 2015 when he scored for Swindon Town against Chesterfield........and what a fine goal it was !!
