Once Santa has been, the presents opened and the turkey devoured, what is there left to look forward to about Christmas? Why, all the festive football of course – and it continues on Boxing Day when Pompey visit Bristol Rovers (3pm kick-off). John Mousinho’s men will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record on the road in League One matches this season. It is an impressive statistic that has helped them to the top of the table, while their next opponents sit in 13th position – already 12 points adrift of the play-offs. That is three places higher than the Pirates were situated when Joey Barton was sacked as manager back in October. It took more than a month before Matt Taylor (the other one) was appointed as his replacement in the Memorial Stadium hot-seat. And just 10 days ago, he guided the side to an excellent 2-1 victory at high-flying Bolton, with former Fratton striker John Marquis among the scorers. He netted again at Blackpool on Saturday, but it was not enough to prevent the Gas from slipping to a 3-1 defeat. Kusini Yengi came off the bench to head home a debut goal when the sides drew 1-1 at Fratton Park on the opening day of the season. But a Colby Bishop brace ensured it was the Blues who emerged 2-0 victors in last term’s clash in Bristol. TEAM NEWS Pompey are still missing Tino Anjorin (hamstring), Josh Dockerill (knee), Connor Ogilvie (ankle) and Regan Poole (knee). The visitors also still have doubts over the fitness of midfielder Tom Lowery (calf) and right-back Zak Swanson (groin). George Friend and Jordan Rossiter are both sidelined for the hosts, who also have doubts over the fitness of Jack Hunt and Luke McCormick. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 26 wins Bristol Rovers: 12 wins 11 draws On the road Pompey: 9 wins Bristol Rovers: 10 wins 6 draws TICKETS Pompey have sold their full allocation for this game, so please do not travel if you do not have a ticket. OFFICIALS Referee: Scott Tallis Assistants: Ollie Williams and Darren Wilding Fourth Official: Gary Parsons 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. 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 key updates throughout the game on Twitter and a detailed blog via the match centre. There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Wednesday. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not available online).
Bristol Rovers Starting Line Up:- 33 Matthew Cox GK 25 Tristan Crama DF 5 James Wilson DF 17 Connor Taylor DF 11 Luke Thomas MF 19 Harvey Vale MF 8 Grant Ward MF 21 Antony Evans MF 6 Sam Finley (C) MF 10 Aaron Collins FW 9 John Marquis FW Substitutes 31 Jed Ward SUB 22 Lamare Bogarde SUB 42 Jack Hunt SUB 30 Luca Hoole SUB 15 Ryan Woods SUB 20 Jevani Brown SUB 18 Chris Martin SUB
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Bristol Rovers ........Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 39% Away 61% Shots: Home 6 Away 4 Shots on Target: Home 0 Away 3 Corners Home 3 Away 0 Fouls: Home 6 Away 9
0-0 at half time. Pretty even first half, with Rovers using three centre backs against Colby Bishop, who has still had our best chance on goal.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Bristol Rovers ..............Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 37% Away 63% Shots: Home 12 Away 10 Shots on Target: Home 3 Away 5 Corners: Home 3 Away 3 Fouls: Home 13 Away 16
Pompey saw their unbeaten away record in League One come to an end after Bristol Rovers netted a stoppage-time winner. Paddy Lane looked to have secured a Boxing Day point after coming off the bench to cancel out an Antony Evans free-kick. But with the Blues pushing forward in search of a second goal, Rovers broke away and Luke Thomas fired home. John Mousinho made one change from the side that were held to a draw by Fleetwood before Christmas. Gavin Whyte was handed a first league start for more than three months, with Lane dropping to the bench. Both sides took a while to emerge from their post-Christmas slumber and the first half was largely a lifeless affair. The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession, but their attacks too often petered out once the ball reached the final third. Will Norris did make a fine early save to deny former Fratton striker John Marquis, although that was quickly rendered meaningless by a raised offside flag. Colby Bishop met a Joe Rafferty delivery at the other end of the pitch and drew a regulation save from Matt Cox. Pompey did start to take control of proceedings as the half progressed, but a Jack Sparkes free-kick that flew into Cox’s arms was as much as they had to show for their efforts. Their opponents were looking most dangerous on the break and anything that was sent into the Blues box was defended, usually by the impressive Conor Shaughnessy. It looked as though the interval would arrive without any further incident, especially with no stoppage-time being displayed. But Pompey almost broke the deadlock just before the whistle blew, with Cox doing well to prevent Bishop converting a fine low Rafferty centre. Half Time: Bristol Rovers 0 Pompey 0 The game did not exactly burst into life straight after the restart, although a Whyte header looped into the arms of Cox. Mousinho tried to liven things up with a change on 52 minutes, as the unusually quiet Alex Robertson made way for Christian Saydee. His side almost fell behind soon after, though, when Bishop tried to head clear an Evans free-kick that was heading out of play. The ball flew straight to Tristan Crama, who hit a fierce strike from inside the box that left the crossbar rattling. A quick Pompey break then led to a corner that Marlon Pack dropped invitingly into the area and the hosts were forced to hack clear. But it was Rovers who broke the deadlock after Joe Morrell had brought down the rampaging Aaron Collins on the edge of the box. Evans stepped up to take the free-kick and bent home a fine effort that left Will Norris rooted to the spot. Mousinho responded with an attacking double switch on 72 minutes, as Sparkes and Whyte made way for Lane and Kusini Yengi. Lane was soon in the thick of it and could not turn home Kamara’s cross at the far post, while Bishop appeared to be tugged back in the box. But the substitute did draw Pompey level moments later, with LANE racing onto a fine Marlon Pack pass and calmly stroking home with his left foot. The visitors might have taken the lead shortly after, with nobody able to force the ball over the line when Pack’s free-kick led to an almighty scramble. Then, following good work on the right involving Rafferty and Kamara, Pack laid a pass off for Saydee to fire inches past the post. But despite looking to push forward as much as possible in the closing stages, the Blues were undone at the death. Rovers broke forward and Harvey Vale squared the ball for Thomas to slam into the net and break Pompey hearts. Bristol Rovers (4-1-4-1): Cox; Wilson, Taylor, Crama (Hunt 87), Vale; Finley (c); Thomas, Evans, Ward, Collins; Marquis (Martin 72) Goals: Evans 66, Thomas 90+4 Booked: Evans, Finley, Cox, Martin Subs not used: Ward, Hoole, Bogarde, Woods, Brown Pompey (4-2-3-1): Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Sparkes (Lane 72); Pack (c), Morrell; Kamara, Robertson (Saydee 52), Whyte (Yengi 72); Bishop Goals: Lane 76 Booked: Robertson, Sparkes, Morrell, Raggett, Lane, Kamara Subs not used: Schofield, Towler, Devlin, Scully Referee: Scott Tallis
