After a frustrating Christmas, Pompey will be looking to end 2023 on a high when they visit Exeter this evening (7.45pm kick-off). John Mousinho’s men are still guaranteed to start the new year at the League One summit, but will be keen to at least maintain the four-point gap to second. Their next opponents made a bright start to the season, with defeat at Fratton Park back in August their sole defeat from the opening six games. Colby Bishop netted the only goal in front of the Sky Sports cameras that night after capitalising on a delivery from former Grecians defender Jack Sparkes. But the Devon outfit have since tumbled down the table and had gone 13 league games without a win before stopping the rot by beating Wycombe on Boxing Day. Sonny Cox struck midway through the second half at St James Park to ease the pressure on manager Gary Caldwell. But it was certainly not plain sailing, with on-loan keeper Vili Sinisalo saving a stoppage-time Luke Leahy penalty. Last season’s corresponding fixture took place on Boxing Day, but a series of fine stops from Jamal Blackman saw Pompey held to a goalless draw. TEAM NEWS Pompey are still without Tino Anjorin (hamstring), Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom Lowery (calf), Connor Ogilvie (ankle), Regan Poole (knee) and Zak Swanson (groin). Exeter will be missing Ryan Trevitt (ankle) and Yanic Wildschut (hamstring) after the duo both picked up injuries over Christmas. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 17 wins Exeter: 6 wins 9 draws On the road Pompey: 6 wins Exeter: 2 wins 8 draws TICKETS Pompey have sold their full allocation for this game, so please do not travel if you do not have a ticket. Click here to read a guide to visiting St James Park that has been produced by the home club. OFFICIALS Referee: Sunny Singh Gill Assistants: Justin Amey and Stuart Butler Fourth Official: Lewis Sandoe 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 Saturday. Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not available online).
Exeter City Starting Line Up:- 1 Viljami Sinisalo 4 Will Aimson 39 Chieck Diabate 5 Alex Hartridge 21 Dion Rankine 6 Tom Carroll 12 Reece Cole 3 Zak Jules 29 Jack Aitchison 14 Ilmari Niskanen 19 Sonny Cox Substitutes: 11 James Scott 16 Harry Kite 23 Kyle Taylor 26 Pierce Sweeney 30 Shaun MacDonald 47 Jake Richards
Alex Robertson switches to central midfield, so Joe Morrell drops to the bench. Gavin Whyte comes in for Abu Kamara, who is also named on the bench.
Pompey brought 2023 to a close in frustrating fashion after being held to a goalless League One draw at Exeter. The League One leaders were far from their fluent best, although still created chances to collect all three points. John Mousinho made two changes from the side that were dramatically beaten at Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day. Paddy Lane – who scored after coming off the bench at the Memorial Stadium – and Terry Devlin came into the starting line-up, with Abu Kamara and Joe Morrell making way. Pompey started brightly and former Grecian Jack Sparkes saw a shot blocked after twisting his way into space. A Marlon Pack corner was then glanced past the post by Terry Devlin, who took a clattering in the process, but was soon back on his feet. And an unmarked Colby Bishop probably should have done better than nod wide after being picked out by Devlin. But the Blues soon became sloppy and although they were dominant in possession, there were too many misplaced passes. Exeter might have taken advantage, with Dion Rankine’s header from a Tom Carroll cross flashing just off target. And when Alex Robertson was dispossessed by Reece Cole, he squared for Sonny Cox to hit a shot straight at Will Norris. Both sides traded corners that came to nothing as the first half drew to a close, with little to excite a big Devon crowd. Half Time: Exeter 0 Pompey 0 Pompey were quickly out of the traps following the restart and Vil Sinisalo was quickly off his line to deny Lane. But they were still finding it tough to break down a resolute home defence, with attacks often breaking down once they reached the final third. Mousinho responded with a triple change just past the hour mark, as Alex Robertson, Gavin Whyte and Devlin made way for Morrell, Kamara and Christian Saydee. Kamara soon had an opportunity to break the deadlock, but could only turn a fine Sparkes cross wide at the far post. The visitors went closer moments later, with Bishop getting into the box and cutting the ball back for Lane to draw a smart stop from Sinisalo. And when Kamara combined well with Saydee, his low centre had to be turned behind by Alex Hartridge. There was a moment of controversy on 78 minutes after Bishop and Saydee had combined to release Kamara in the area. He appeared to be shoved to turf by Zak Jules, but referee Sunny Gill ignored Pompey’s desperate appeals for a penalty. With the hosts looking to win, Mousinho made an attacking switch as Kusini Yengi came on for Sparkes. His physical presence caused Exeter problems, but the home side were able to hold on for a share of the spoils. Exeter (4-4-2): Sinisalo; Aimson, Diabate, Hartridge, Jules; Rankine, Carroll, Cole (c), Niskanen (Kite 83); Aitchison (Scott 90+3), Cox (Taylor 69) Booked: Sinisalo Subs not used: MacDonald, Sweeney, Richards Pompey (4-2-3-1): Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Sparkes (Yengi 83); Robertson (Morrell 62), Pack (c); Whyte (Kamara 62), Devlin (Saydee 62), Lane; Bishop Booked: Raggett, Sparkes Subs not used: Schofield, Towler, Scully Referee: Sunny Gill Attendance: 8,322 (1,335 Pompey fans)
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Exeter .............Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 37% Away 63% Shots: Home 15 Away 11 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 2 Corners: Home 3 Away 6 Fouls: Home 13 Away 13
