Pompey’s relentless run of games continues with an Easter Monday contest at Morecambe (3pm kick-off). It will be their third fixture in less than a week, with the previous two resulting in wins over Rotherham and Lincoln. Their opponents are desperate for points in the fiercely contested battle to beat the drop from League One. The Shrimps currently have the upper hand, however, and sit three points above that dreaded dotted line. Derek Adams had left his role as manager after leading the side to fourth tier play-off glory at Wembley last season. But he returned to replace Stephen Robinson, who departed the Mazuma Stadium to take charge of St Mirren in February. And Paul Cook’s old sparring partner has helped guide the Lancastrians to three victories from their past four games, including Friday’s 3-2 success at Charlton. Pompey are looking to triumph on Morecambe’s patch for the first time, having drawn two and lost two of their previous four visits. They did come out on top when the sides met on the south coast before Christmas, however, courtesy of goals from Marcus Harness and Connor Ogilvie. TEAM NEWS Kieron Freeman (ankle), Reeco Hackett (knee) and Jayden Reid (knee) are all still sidelined for Pompey. Denver Hume (back) is closing in on being available again, while Joe Morrell went off on Friday with a dead leg. Morecambe defender Ryan McLaughlin could miss out again, having been absent through injury for the past couple of matches. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 3 wins Morecambe: 2 wins 4 draws On the road Pompey: 0 wins Morecambe: 2 wins 2 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can purchase tickets by visiting the away ticket office at Morecambe (next to turnstiles 3-4) on the day of the game. This is the same place to visit for any supporter who needs to collect tickets that have already been bought. OFFICIALS Referee: Robert Madley Assistants: Kevin Mulraine and Joe Simpson Fourth Official: Matthew Parry 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 11/10 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 23/10.
Once again, I'm watching the game live on iFollow. Back at half time, but please feel free to add your comments during the first half if you can ! PUP.
Half time whistle. 0-1 to Pompey thanks to a 41st minute goal from centre half Sean Raggett (his sixth goal of the season), with a shot on the turn from a headed pass by Ronan Curtis. The home side had been on top until we scored, but thanks to Gavin Bazanu, we kept them at bay. There should have been two yellow cards awarded to Morecambe players for shocking fouls from behind, but the referee somehow decided to ignore them both !
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Morecambe Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 39% Away 61% Shots: Home 8 Away 5 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 2 Corners: Home 5 Away 4 Fouls: Home 5 Away 2
Final whistle. 1-1 draw. Morecambe equalised in the 93rd minute with a scrambled goal by Jonah Ayunga after a goal mouth scuffle, with Gavin Bazanu clearly impeded by an opposition player. Having said that the home team did just enough to earn a draw, which they possibly deserved. Morecambe right back Lee was yellow carded in the last few minutes for a foul on Ronan Curtis who was running towards the home goal. Pompey brought on all three subs - Louis Thompson for Shaun Williams, Aiden O'Brien for Michael Jacobs, and Mahlon Romeo for Marcus Harness.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Morecambe ............Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 42% Away 58% Shots: Home 18 Away 9 Shots on Target: Home 5 Away 2 Corners: Home 10 Away 5 Fouls: Home 12 Away 5
What to take from this game? I would prefer to be partisan ( up Pompey) than fair minded but taking the latter stance I would have to agree Woops - Morecambe were worth their point.. And in a magnanimous ' greater scheme of things' their point was more important to them than three would have been to us, Two points were made a little clearer to me although the players involved did not have outstanding games. Jacobs is Pompey's only current reasonable candidate for next seasons No10 position and Hurst, as a loanee from a premiership side, does not have great premiership potential but does have, through virtue of the fact he constantly seeks involvement,. great league one potential - and who knows= possible championship potential. So if we get the chance to sign him we should. Should we sign him as a loanee again next season? A grey area decision. If he has a good season and we get promoted Leicester will want to cash in on him and if he has an indifferent season, as do Pompey., we are no further forward.. Lets see what the last few games reveal about next years potential. PUP
