Match Day Thread EFL Trophy Final - Pompey v Salford City

Yes dev, the Wembley game will definitely take place sometime this coming season, most probably towards the end of the season, and hopefully when fans are allowed back into football grounds.

Over 55,000 tickets have already been sold (I have two of them for myself and daughter), so a lot is at stake!!

 

This coming season's EFL Trophy draw has been made, as follows:-

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/1043258931?-11209:804

 

West Ham Youngsters Complete EFL Trophy Group - Hammers join Pompey, Colchester and Southend.

 

To my mind, it is ridiculous that the 2020 final is to be played after the 2021 final. Surely, it should be the other way round ?!

Sheer stupidity of the EFL yet again

 

Date Set For Wembley Clash With Salford

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A date has been confirmed for the postponed 2020 Papa John’s Trophy final between Pompey and Salford.

The sides will head to Wembley Stadium on Saturday, March 13 (3pm kick-off) and the behind-closed-doors contest will be screened live on Sky Sports.

It is a part of a ‘Wembley Weekender’ in the Papa John’s Trophy, with the 2021 final taking place at the same time the following day.

Blues boss Kenny Jackett said: “For players, management, staff and supporters, going to Wembley Stadium is always a special occasion and we’re pleased to now have a date for the 2020 final.

“It obviously won’t be the same without the fantastic Pompey supporters there to cheer us on, but we’ll do everything we can to win the game for them.”

The match was originally due to take place in March 2020, but was postponed due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

Pompey enjoyed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Exeter at Fratton Park in the semi-finals 12 months ago, scoring twice in stoppage-time to seal their Wembley return.

Salford also had to come through a tight contest in the last four, winning at Newport on penalties following a goalless 90 minutes.

Both sides are already out of this season’s competition, with just Lincoln, Oxford, Sunderland and Tranmere remaining.

Salford were only promoted to the EFL for the first time in 2019 and currently sit ninth in the League Two standings.

A new date will now have to be found for Pompey’s League One match at Peterborough, which was previously scheduled for March 13.

 

A reminder on how we got there..........

 

Officials named for the 2020 Final:-

2020 Final – Saturday 13 March 2021 @ 3 pm.

Portsmouth v Salford

Referee - Carl Boyeson
ARs - Michael Webb and Craig Taylor
4th Official – Trevor Kettle
Reserve AR - George Byrne

 

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The excited walk down Wembley way, the clamour to your seat and the hugging of complete strangers when Pompey find the net.

All of that will, unfortunately, be missing when the Blues make their latest trip to the national stadium on Saturday.

The Covid-19 pandemic means that an event that has already been pushed back a year will have to take place behind closed doors.

In fact, the Papa John’s Trophy final was not even called that when Kenny Jackett’s side were supposed to play it.

An incredible total of more than 50,000 tickets had been snapped up by Pompey fans for the clash with Salford, but they will now have to watch the action on television.

And those armchair followers are hoping their side can put their stuttering league form to one side to retain the silverware memorably claimed in 2019.

The men from Fratton Park beat Sunderland on penalties to lift the trophy and have held it for almost two years.

So they will be looking to extend that for an extra day, with this season’s final – between the Black Cats and Tranmere – taking place at the same venue on Sunday.

But the Blues will have to see off a Salford side who have enjoyed an incredible rise up the divisions in recent years.

They only entered the EFL for the first time in 2019, helped by the backing of the famous ‘Class of 92’ – namely David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes.

Richie Wellens’ side are currently sitting 9th in League Two and are four points adrift of the play-off spots.

Neither side are in the best form at the moment, with the Ammies having won just one of their past six fixtures.

But both will have Wembley glory on their minds as the clubs prepare for their first competitive meeting at arguably the world’s most famous football stadium. Albeit a mostly empty one.

In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, the tie will be decided by extra-time and, if required, penalties.


TEAM NEWS
Andy Cannon is a major doubt after injuring his hamstring earlier in the week, while Alex Bass (foot) and Callum Johnson (calf) are definitely missing.

Everyone else is available to feature, with the EFL confirming that players signed this season can still take part in last term’s final.

Salford will be without former Republic of Ireland international Darron Gibson, who continues his recovery from a broken leg.


HEAD TO HEAD
There have been no previous competitive meetings between Pompey and Salford.


OFFICIALS
Referee: Carl Boyeson
Assistants: Michael Webb and Craig Taylor
Fourth Official: Trevor Kettle


BETTING
Pompey are the 10/11 favourites with VBET to secure victory, while their opponents can be backed at 3/1.

 

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Interesting to see that Kenny Jackett has named Jordy Hiwula in the starting line up in preference to Ellis Harrison, who apparently has a knee injury.