Pompey fans will have had to wait 23 days to see their side in action by the time the sides take to the pitch at Cambridge on Monday (3pm kick-off). Since seeing off Morecambe on home soil a couple of weeks before Christmas, Danny Cowley’s troops have seen four matches postponed. League One contests with AFC Wimbledon, Oxford and Plymouth – as well as a Papa John’s Trophy tie at Exeter – have all bitten the dust because of Covid. But barring any late drama, the Blues will finally get the chance to shake off those festive cobwebs at the Abbey Stadium. With plenty of other clubs also having fixtures cancelled, they have only dropped one place to ninth in the standings. The points gap between Pompey and the final play-off spot, however, has increased from one point to seven. Their next opponents, meanwhile, are down in 17th position and looking to climb away from the drop zone. Cambridge – who claimed the runners-up spot in League Two last term – have seen their last couple of contests called off due to a Covid outbreak of their own. But Mark Bonner’s men secured a 2-1 victory when the teams met at Fratton Park back in September. Prior to that south coast clash, United had not celebrated victory against the Blues for an incredible 43 years. TEAM NEWS Pompey have no new Covid cases, while Clark Robertson (hip), Louis Thompson (abdominal) and Ryan Tunnicliffe (hamstring) are all closing in on a return after spells on the sidelines. Cambridge have confirmed that some of their players are still isolating, while Wes Hoolahan (hamstring) Lloyd Jones (groin), Liam O’Neil (calf), Greg Taylor (ankle) and Shilow Tracey (ankle) are all likely to miss out. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 14 wins Cambridge: 2 wins 3 draws At Abbey Stadium Pompey: 6 wins Cambridge: 1 win 2 draws TICKETS Pompey have sold their full allocation of tickets and none will be available to buy at the ground. Travelling fans should have Covid certification as they may be asked to show this in order to enter the stadium. OFFICIALS Referee: Joshua Smith Assistants: Michael George and Daniel Leach Fourth Official: Trevor Kettle BETTING Pompey are the 10/11 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 11/4.
So, Clark Robertson, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Louis Thompson are all back in training, but not deemed match fit as of yet. Joe Morrell is fit to start in midfield, with full back Lee Brown on the bench. Former Pompey youngster Adam May is in Cambridge's starting line up.
Half time score is 0-0. Been watching on ifollow. Quite a good first half, full of action, but no goals to show for it ! 3 first half bookings. Mahlon Romeo for Pompey, and Smith and Brophy for Cambridge. The latters for a shocking challenge on Ronan Curtis. Hoping for a better second half for Pompey.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Cambridge ..........Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 39%: Away 61% Shots: Home 6 Away 3 Shots on Target: Home 4 Away 0 Corners: Home 1 Away 2 Fouls: Home 6 Away 7
Final whistle (after 28 minutes of time added on !) and it's 0-0. What a match, full of incident ! Sam Smith was red carded with his second yellow for a shocking challenge on Conor Ogilvie, elbowing him in the face. 2 minutes of treatment for our player, but before play could get underway, a Cambridge fan collapsed in their end stand, and required treatment with a defibrillator, before being stretchered to a waiting ambulance - do hope the poor fan is o.k. There were actually 21 minutes added on by the referee, but some prize winning time wasting and delaying tactics stretched it to 28 minutes. We created enough chances, and won enough corners, to have won the match, but it wasn't to be. We brought on Michael Jacobs for Kieron Freeman, Lee Brown for Reeco Hackett, and John Marquis for George Hirst.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Cambridge ............Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 33% Away 67% Shots: Home 10 Away 13 Shots on Target: Home 6 Away 2 Corners: Home 1 Away 11 Fouls: Home 12 Away 18
The Cambridge United fan who collapsed and required medical attention is apparently stable and recovering, which is good news.
Happy New Year to all that visit this site! I watched the replay on ifollow. Always difficult to be excited by the prospect of seeing a 0-0 match replayed but - as goaless games go - it was very watchable. As you say Woops we created chances but did not take them. However, this is one step better than not creating chances which was our problem earlier in the season. I have some sympathy for Cambridge being the only side to be reduced to 10 men. Raggett was lucky not to be yellow carded in the first half which would have led to his subsequent dismissal in the 2nd half and Romeo committed a couple of very marginal fouls after his yellow. However, in the end we were unable to take advantage of their reduced numbers. Bringing Jacobs on for a defender once Cambridge were reduced to ten was a very positive move from Cowley even though it did not reap a reward. It was also good to see Adam May play a useful game for Cambridge.
