Match Day Thread Pompey v Colchester - EFL Trophy Game

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Last season’s final has still to be played, but this evening sees Pompey begin a new campaign in the EFL Trophy.

The Covid-19 pandemic brought the previous campaign to a halt before the Blues could face Salford at Wembley, with a new date for that contest still to be arranged.

But Kenny Jackett’s side remain the competition holders, having memorably seen off Sunderland on penalties in 2019.

It is the lower-key scenario of a group contest against Colchester that sees them get underway this term.

As usual at this stage, if the match is all square after 90 minutes, a penalty shoot-out is held to see who claims a bonus point.

The visitors got their season started with a 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat at Reading on Saturday, despite taking the lead through Jevani Brown.

United competed in the fourth tier play-offs at the end of the 2019/20 campaign after finishing fifth, but were beaten over two legs by Exeter.

They have never previously won this competition, although did make the final back in 1997, losing to Carlisle on penalties.

Pompey last faced Colchester during 2016/17 League Two title-wining season, when they won both matches, including a 2-0 success at Fratton Park.

TEAM NEWS
Alex Bass (ankle) is the only injury doubt for Pompey, with Ellis Harrison and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild returning to action in last week’s friendly win at Gosport.

Colchester could hand a debut to striker Martell Taylor-Crossdale following his arrival on a season-long loan from Fulham

Luke Gambin has returned from international duty with Malta, but Luke Norris, Tom Lapslie and Diaz Wright are all injured.


HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 3 wins
Colchester: 5 wins
2 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 2 wins
Colchester: 2 wins
1 draw

OFFICIALS
Referee: Craig Hicks
Assistants: Christopher Wade and Mark Derrien
Fourth Official: Adrian Quelch


BETTING
Pompey are the 4/7 favourites with Sky Bet to secure victory after 90 minutes, while the visitors can be backed at 15/4.

 

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How the visitors line up:

Here's the Colchester line up this evening:

Starting XI: Shamal George, Miles Welch-Hayes, Omar Sowunmi, Courtney Senior, Jevani Brown, Noah Chilvers, Miquel Scarlett, Tom Eastman, Kwame Poku, Ben Stevenson, Luke Gambin

Subs: Callum Coulter, Cohen Bramall, Tommy Smith, Paris Cowan-Hall, Martell Taylor-Crossdale, Marley Marshall-Miranda.

 

Match kicks off.

 

Marcus Harness in the 11th minute goes close.

Ronan Curtis's scuffed shot saved by Shamal George in the 24th minute.

 

GOAL FOR POMPEY !!!!!

Marcus Harness scores for Pompey in the 36th minute from a Ronan Curtis pass.

 

GOAL FOR POMPEY !!!!!

2-0 now with a second goal in two minutes from Marcus Harness, from a through ball from Jack Whatmough. 38th minute.

 

Yellow card to Colchester defender Omar Sowunmi for a foul on John Marquis.40th minute.

 

Two minutes of injury time added on and Pompey go close to a third, as Tom Naylor latches onto a loose pass and drives the ball just past the post.

 

Half-time, and it's 2-2 to Pompey.

 

Second half kicks off.

 

Ronan Curtis shot goes close, from a pass from Marcus Harness. 53rd minute.

 

Colchester Utd make a double substitution on the hour.

Ex-Pompey striker Paris Cowan-Hall on for Kwame Poku, and Martell Taylor-Crossdale replaces Jevani Brown

 

Ronan Curtis free kick saved by the Colchester goalie. 66th minute.

 

Pompey bring on substitutes Ryan Williams for Ronan Curtis, and Andy Cannon on for Goalscorer Marcus Harness. 75th minute.

 

Colchester bring on Marley Marshall-Miranda for Gambin. 77 minutes.

 

Ryan Williams booked for a foul on a Colchester player. 79 minutes.

 

Pompey replace John Marquis with Ellis Harrison. 80 minutes.

 

Yellow card for Cameron Pring for a foul. 85 minutes.