Match Day Thread Pompey v Gillingham

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Pompey’s hopes of sneaking into the play-off places came to an end on Monday, with three games of the season remaining.

But they have a fine home record to defend when Gillingham visit Fratton Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

There is more on the line for the visitors, who are currently perched precariously just above the League One drop zone.

The Kent outfit are in 20th position and have only a single point more than Fleetwood, who hold both a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

Those two sides played out a goalless draw at Priestfield Stadium on Easter Monday to ensure it remains incredibly tight at the bottom of the table.

The Gills have improved since Neil Harris replaced Steve Evans as manager in January and have lost just one of their past six games – although four of them ended all square.

A deflected Michael Jacobs strike deep into stoppage-time separated the sides earlier in the campaign.

It finished 1-1 in the most recent contest at Fratton Park last February, with Sean Raggett’s opener cancelled out by Vadaine Oliver.


TEAM NEWS
Kieron Freeman (ankle), Reeco Hackett (knee) and Jayden Reid (knee) are all still sidelined for Pompey.

Midfielder Joe Morrell is likely to be available again after missing the Morecambe trip with a dead leg.

Robbie McKenzie and former Fratton loanee Stuart O’Keefe are both doubts for the visitors after going off injured against Fleetwood on Monday, with

Mustapha Carayol (hamstring) definitely missing.

Striker Charlie Kelman was sent off in that contest, although Gillingham were considering launching an appeal.


HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 21 wins
Gillingham: 9 wins
10 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 12 wins
Gillingham: 2 wins
6 draws


OFFICIALS
Referee: Darren Drysdale
Assistants: Paul Kelly and Robert Dabbs
Fourth Official: Daniel Cook


MATCH COVERAGE
Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Ian Wilding and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday.

Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM.


BETTING
Pompey are the 4/6 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 21/5.

 

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American directors Eric Eisner and Andy Redman are over from the USA, to watch live our last two home matches against Gillingham and Wigan Athletic.

 

Match kicks off

 

GOAL FOR POMPEY !!!!!!

 

1-0 up with a Ronan Curtis goal in the 4th minute.

Marcus Harness surges down the right and plays a neat one-two with Hayden Carter before delivering a low cross that Ronan Curtis slams home off the underside of the bar.

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Attempt missed. Clark Robertson (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. 9th minute.

 

Attempt saved. Joe Morrell (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by George Hirst. 14th minute.

 

Yellow card for David Tutonda for a foul on Joe Morrell who was breaking down the right flank. 22 minutes.

 

1-1 now with an equaliser from Ryan Jackson. 30 minutes. Their first shot of the game.

 

George Hirst does well to cut inside from the right, but his shot is blocked. Assisted by Michael Jacobs with a headed pass. 37th minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. Olly Lee (Gillingham) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 40th min.

 

45 minutes up - 1 minute added on.

 

GOAL FOR POMPEY !!!!!!

 

2-1 to Pompey with a second goal for Ronan Curtis. Sean Raggett crosses from the right and Ryan Jackson misses it, with Ronan Curtis calmly finding the bottom corner. 45 + 2 minutes.

 

Yellow card for Gills manager Neil Harris for something he said to the referee, and a yellow card for his assistant ! 45 + 3 minutes.

 

Half time whistle goes, and it's 2-1 to Pompey.

We have played very well in the first half. Gills are battling to stay in the match, and in Division One.

 

Pompey promotion hero Kevin Harper is introduced to the fans at half-time