There has been plenty of talk about Pompey’s forthcoming meetings with their fellow League One promotion chasers. But nobody in the Fratton camp will be feeling complacent about this evening’s south coast contest with Burton (7.45pm kick-off). That is because the Brewers also have plenty to play for as they battle to keep themselves out of the drop zone. Martin Paterson’s men are currently just one place above the dreaded dotted line, although they do hold a five-point buffer over 21st-placed Cheltenham. Albion are in their six successive season competing at this level after being relegated from the Championship in 2018. They head to Fratton Park having lost three of their past four games and conceded two late goals in a 3-1 home defeat to Peterborough at the weekend. A Colby Bishop penalty and Alex Robertson’s first senior goal secured a 2-0 win for Pompey when the sides met in Staffordshire back in November. They also came out on top in last season’s Fratton meeting, courtesy of a late strike from Dane Scarlett. TEAM NEWS Callum Lang is a doubt after going off on Saturday with an ankle injury, but Jack Sparkes should be available, despite also having to be substituted in the same game. Tino Anjorin (hamstring), Terry Devlin (shoulder), Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom McIntyre (ankle), Joe Morrell (knee), Connor Ogilvie (knee), Regan Poole (knee), Alex Robertson (hamstring) and Ben Stevenson (knee) are still sidelined. Mason Bennett, Sam Hughes and Jasper Moon are fitness concerns for the visitors, but former Fratton loanee Steve Seddon could feature. VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Christian Saydee ahead of the game. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 7 wins Burton: 3 wins 4 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 2 wins Burton: 1 win 4 draws OFFICIALS Referee: Adam Herczeg Assistants: Daniel D’Urso and Stuart Kane Fourth Official: Stephen Finch TICKETS Seats have sold out and if you are coming to the game, click here to find out what is happening around the ground ahead of kick-off. 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 Paul Robinson 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).
Matchday Guide: Pompey v Burton Pompey are back in action when Burton visit Fratton Park this evening (7.45pm kick-off). And there is plenty going on around the ground to get everyone in the mood for the big game. FanZone The FanZone will be back in full swing behind the Fratton End, with our resident DJ spinning the decks and getting everyone pumped. There are also some inflatable games for our younger fans to enjoy courtesy of Pompey in the Community. And Nelson’s Corner in the Victory Lounge will have a PlayStation console to keep them entertained. Food & Drink To quench your thirst, the stadium kiosks are offering Madri, East Coast IPA, Stowford Press and an improved Pompey Lager Pilsner. Supporters can take advantage of an early bird offer for 30 minutes after the turnstiles open at 6.15pm, with a pie/sausage roll and a pint for just £8.15. Fans can also enjoy a pie and a soft drink for just £6 throughout the evening, while our guest pie this month is chicken fajita. Click here for a full list of the tempting offerings provided by Piglet's Pantry on this evening. The street food pergola is located in the FanZone, with chimichurri steak, gaucho and vegan sandwiches being sold. The shipping container behind the Fratton End will be serving chicken bites and chips, while supporters in the North Stand can visit the kiosk four mezzanine to buy pizza and Amstel. Meanwhile, on offer in the Victory Bar are roast dinner Yorkshire pudding wraps and chilli con carne. To speed up service, beer tokens are available to purchase in kiosks three, five and 11. Please note that only supporters seated in the Fratton End will have access to the container bar at half-time. The Victory Bar, shipping container and external North Stand kiosk will all be open from 5pm. Tickets Seats for the contest have sold out and the ticket exchange closes at midday today. Supporters are advised not to call the ticket office on a matchday, as phone lines are very busy. Please note that there is a £3 charge to receive an eticket or paper ticket if you leave your season card at home. Fans should also be aware that the ticket office will not reprint lost season cards on a matchday. Supporters not coming to the game are able to watch all the action with four-camera coverage on iFollow. Her Game Too Pompey are proud to dedicate tonight's match to Her Game Too, who are working to eradicate sexism in football. They want women and girls of all ages to feel confident and safe sharing their opinions about football – both online and in person – without fear of sexist abuse. With that in mind, supporters are reminded that tickets are on general sale for Pompey Women's upcoming match against Rugby Borough at Fratton Park. Academy Showcase As part of our continuing showcase of Pompey's academy sides, the under-11s will be introduced to the crowd at half-time. Getting to the Game Pompey have partnered with First Solent and supporters can use First South’s No.1 service as a direct link to Fratton Park. First Solent are giving away matchday tickets throughout the 2023/24 season. Click here or follow on Twitter (@FirstPortsmouth) and Facebook (First Bus Solent) to see how you can be in with a chance of winning. If you live on the Isle of Wight, then click here to see the services that will get you across the water. Additional Information Please note that Fratton Park is a cashless stadium and only contactless payment will be accepted. Programme sellers around the ground will still have contactless payment devices, but cash is also being accepted while we work to ensure a more reliable contactless system outside the ground. Please note that only contactless payment can be used for programmes bought in the Victory Lounge, kiosks or club shop. The Pompey Lottery will be roaming around the lounges and selling tickets for matchday draw competitions, with proceeds supporting the academy. And the new retail kiosk is available to use for supporters in the South Stand. Enjoy the Game We would like to remind all supporters that we will not tolerate discrimination of any kind at Fratton Park. Please help us continue to make the ground a safe and friendly environment to watch football by bringing any unacceptable behaviour to the attention of stewards and police. You can also report any abusive or discriminatory behaviour by sending a text or WhatsApp message to 07500 778844. Supporters are also politely asked to keep all aisles and walkways clear for the safety and comfort of your fellow fans. Love Football. Protect the Game.
Burton Albion Starting Line-Up:- 1 Max Crocombe GK 6 Ryan Sweeney DF 2 John Brayford (C) DF 22 Jake Caprice DF 37 Thomas Hamer MF 3 Steve Seddon MF 4 Adedeji Oshilaja MF 7 Joe Powell MF 8 Rekeem Harper MF 17 Mark Helm FW 44 Joe Hugill FW Substitutes: 30 Jamal Blackman 23 Tolaji Bola 21 Mustapha Carayol 25 Ciaran Gilligan 32 Antwoine Hackford 18 Bobby Kamwa 20 Ademola Ola-Adebomi
Pompey are without injured pair Jack Sparkes and Callum Lang, who were both injured at Blackpool on Saturday In come Owen Moxon, Kusini Yengi and Christian Saydee, with striker Colby Bishop starting on the bench tonight. Former Pompey loanee Steve Seddon starts the match for Burton.
Not a bad game, which really we should have won more easily. Both Kusini Yengi and Christian Saydee had good games, with the Aussie striker scoring both our goals - one a penalty. We appear to have let Burton back into the match when they scored in the 80th minute, but we held them at bay until the final whistle.
Phew! Are we ready to.face four of our rivals over the next five marches? I think three wins from that batch would almost secure promotion.
Final Match Stats: Home Team: Portsmouth ..........Away Team: Burton Possession: Home 70% Away 30% Shots: Home 13 Away 8 Shots on Target: Home 3 Away 1 Corners: Home 5 Away 3 Fouls: Home 11 Away 17
Kusini Yengi scored twice as Pompey beat Burton at a rocking Fratton Park to maintain their fine League One form. They had to be patient to wear down their stubborn opponents and Yengi missed a great chance before netting a cheeky penalty just before the break. He doubled the advantage in the second half and the dominant Blues appeared to be cruising to victory. But John Brayford reduced the Brewers’ deficit late on, leading to a few nervy moments before the points could be celebrated. John Mousinho made three changes from the side that were held to a draw at Blackpool at the weekend. Australia international Yengi was brought in to lead the line, as leading marksman Colby Bishop was afforded a rare rest. The other two switches were enforced, with injuries to Jack Sparkes and Callum Lang seeing Owen Moxon and Christian Saydee enter the fold. That necessitated a change of formation, as Joe Rafferty moved inside to form a back three with Sean Raggett and Conor Shaughnessy. And there was the welcome sight of Lee Evans being named among the substitutes following his arrival at the start of the month. The visitors almost took a shock lead in the very first minutes, as a 25-yard rocket from Rekeem Harper left the crossbar rattling. But Burton were mostly content to sit back with a solid back five and ensure Pompey could not break through them easily. Abu Kamara thought he should have won a penalty after going down in the box under a challenge from former Fratton loanee Steve Seddon, but referee Adam Herczeg did not agree. The hosts did come close to breaking the deadlock on 15 minutes, though, courtesy of a fierce Marlon Pack free-kick that struck the bar. Saydee also sent a couple of dangerous ball into the mixer that the opposition defence did well to deal with. With the Brewers getting so many men back, a set-piece seemed a likely route for the Blues getting on the scoresheet. And their tactics were clear when keeper Max Crocombe was booked for taking an age over a goal-kick. They came close from another free-kick midway through the first half, as Moxon’s attempt flew narrowly over. But it was from an Albion corner that they should have finally forged ahead on 37 minutes, with a quick counter-attack launched. Kamara surged forward and laid a pass off for Lane, whose low centre was somehow turned wide by Yengi with the goal gaping. He did not seem to let the miss affect him, though, with the striker bursting through a couple of defenders before cutting the ball back. It managed to evade everyone, but the move stayed alive and an eventual Pack drive was beaten away by Crocombe. Burton seemed to have done enough to go in level at the break, only for Yengi to have the final say in stoppage-time. He drew a clumsy challenge from Deji Oshilaja inside the area and Herczeg immediately points to the spot. It was YENGI who dusted himself down to take the penalty, showing plenty of nerve to dink the ball straight down the middle. Half Time: Pompey 1 Burton 0 Will Norris did not have much to do before the break, but was called into action straight after the restart after Tom Hamer’s long throw had caused problems in a crowded box. Pompey soon started to take control again, with Pack dictating play as he sprayed clever passes around. But for all their dominance, the hosts were struggling to get many shots away with so many black-shirted players back behind the ball. They had a great chance when Pack stole possession and cut the ball back into the box, but Myles Peart-Harris missed it and Kamara blazes over the bar. Pompey were denied another penalty just before the hour mark when Peart-Harris appeared to get shoved to the turf by Hamer. But a second goal did arrive soon after, when Moxon released Kamara on the right and his teasing low centre was fired into the roof of the net from close range by YENGI. The hosts continued to look comfortable in possession and were passing the ball around nicely in search for more openings. There was a welcome return to action for Zak Swanson on 79 minutes, with the defender replacing Kamara to make his first appearance since just before Christmas. But Burton suddenly had a route back into the contest when the Blues failed to deal with Bobby Kamwa’s delivery and the ball dropped for Brayford to fire into the net. The visitors then thought they should have been awarded a penalty for Swanson’s challenge on Kamwa, only for Herczeg to dismiss their appeals. Mousinho made a double switch on 84 minutes, as Yengi and Peart-Harris made way for Bishop and Gavin Whyte. And the Blues managed to see out the closing stages without too much trouble to maintain their healthy lead at the summit. Pompey (3-4-2-1): Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy; Kamara (Swanson 79), Moxon, Pack (c), Lane; Saydee, Peart-Harris (Whyte 84); Yengi (Bishop 84) Goals: Yengi 45+3 (pen), 63 Booked: Peart-Harris Subs not used: Macey, Towler, Evans, Martin Burton (3-4-3): Crocombe; Hamer, Brayford (c), Sweeney; Caprice, Harper (Ola-Adebomi 61), Powell, Seddon (Kamwa 69); Oshilaja (Gilligan 61), Hugill (Hackford 69), Helm (Carayol 69) Goals: Brayford 80 Booked: Helm, Brayford, Crocombe, Carayol, Powell Subs not used: Blackman, Bola Referee: Adam Herczeg Attendance: 19,536 (97 away fans)
I was walking in the wilds of Tasmania last week so had no chance to watch on ifollow the Blackpool or Burton games until my return. Watching a 90 minute replay of a 0-0 draw was too bigger ask so I watched the extended highlights which are not always a good indication. However, they left the impression we were a little fortunate to get a point, appearing to be coming second up until the send-off - which appeared to be harsh - and then unable to take advantage of the 10 vs 11. I watched and enjoyed the full replay of the Burton game. I believe we were worth our win. Saydee impressed me. Up until now he has tended to hold the ball up - as a centre forward might - rather than progress forward. In this game Pack found him with many good passes and his first touch usually founding facing the opposition's goal and trying to go forward (he may have been taking lessons from Tom Lowry who is particularly adept at this skill!). In my - very low level - playing days I noticed when we met teams from a significantly higher level it was usually our young players, rather than our better players, that were able to adapt best to the faster pace. We have players such as Saydee, Yengi, and Lane that have the potential to raise their game next season if we are promoted. Yengi has the 'goal touch.' Generally, players that have it will continue to be picked even if other skills are lacking. Yengi has too many clumsy first touches but if he keeps scoring other skills will improve. Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself - we must get promoted first!! PUP
