Pompey will want to make the most of home comforts when they welcome Rotherham to Fratton Park this evening (7.45pm kick-off). Danny Cowley’s side are looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Cheltenham by beating one of the sides chasing the League One title. But the Millers – who have led the standings for so long – have recently dropped out of the automatic promotion spots. They have won just one of their six most recent league matches and were beaten 1-0 on home soil by Charlton at the weekend. United have lifted silverware during that time, though, twice battling from behind before seeing off Sutton after extra-time at Wembley in the final of the Papa John’s Trophy. And they know that victory tonight would see them overhaul second-placed MK Dons, while still holding a game in hand. Paul Warne’s men have been something of a yoyo side in recent years, having either been promoted to or dropped out of the Championship in each of the past five seasons. Pompey were beaten 4-1 when the sides met at New York Stadium earlier in the campaign, but they triumphed 3-2 the last time this fixture took place at Fratton Park in November 2019. TEAM NEWS Kieron Freeman (ankle), Reeco Hackett (knee) and Jayden Reid (knee) are the only absentees for the hosts. Ben Wiles (leg) and Richard Wood (illness) are both expected to be available for the Millers, but keeper Josh Vickers is set to miss the rest of the season with a hand injury. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 12 wins Rotherham: 11 wins 10 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 9 wins Rotherham: 2 wins 5 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure tickets online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office. Supporters can also purchase seats, subject to availability, from the booth behind the Fratton End this evening. OFFICIALS Referee: David Rock Assistants: Simon Shaw and Justin Amey Fourth Official: Carl Brook 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 Rotherham are the 13/10 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 11/5.
Half time whistle. 1-0 to Pompey with a 35th minute headed goal from skipper Clark Robertson (his first for Pompey) from a cross from Michael Jacobs. Robertson was booked for a foul on Kayode in the 5th minute, and Michael Jacobs booked in after 45 + 3 minutes for a foul on Ogbene. Two Rotherham players also booked - Jamie Lindsay in the 8th minute for a terrible foul from behind on Conor Ogilvie, and Dan Barlaser in the 16th minute for a foul on Jacobs. Good first half from us, hope it continues in the second half.
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ..........Away Team: Rotherham Possession: Home 50% Away 50% Shots: Home 5 Away 4 Shots on Target: Home 2 Away 1 Corners: Home 2 Away 0 Fouls: Home 8 Away 12
Pompey 2 Rotherham 0 Take a bow, George Hirst !! The striker collects a throw from Gavin Bazunu, holds off two challenges and sends in a superb low cross for Marcus Harness to slot home. 59 minutes.
3-0 now, with a great goal from George Hirst in the 65th minute. Joe Morrell sends the ball into the box and Sean Raggett beats Johansson to it, nodding back for George Hirst to hook a neat finish into the net. please log in to view this image
This is the same side that just lost at Cheltenham. The unpredictability is vert frustrating at times. A side that should have been pushing for the playoffs in id-table obscurity
Final whistle. Superb 3-0 win for Pompey. That's more like it !! Joe Mattock of Rotherham booked in the 56th minute for a foul on Marcus Harness. Pompey made three substitutions in the second half, with Aiden O'Brien replacing Michael Jacobs, Mahlon Romeo on for Marcus Harness, and Shaun Williams replacing Louis Thompson. Good all round performance by the entire team.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ..............Away Team: Rotherham Possession: Home 46% Away 54% Shots: Home 10 Away 9 Shots on Target: Home 6 Away 1 Corners: Home 5 Away 4 Fouls: Home 17 Away 17
Well I have had to catch upon my replay watching. I agree with Woops that Pompey played some good football against Bolton but the result was disappointing. I have to confess the prospect of watching the whole replay against Cheltenham after reading poor media reports was too daunting so I bottled it and only watched the highlights. The season seemed to have fizzled out. But then the great Rotherham result! Up until Cheltenham Pompey had been reasonably consistent in mopping up points from lower clubs but had stumbled against higher ranked opposition recently so this was a welcome reversal of trend!! As hopes of play offs have faded attention has turned to summer recruitment but there seems to be an intangible problem beyond the players. The side selected against Rotherham was close to the best Pompey can field. Looking through the side and asking which players are probably above average for League 1 i would have said all of them except perhaps George Hurst who is a fast improver at the moment and gave a performance that contradicted my analysis. Selections have not been consistent largely for reasons of injury and player rotation due to fixture congestion. Some rotation has also been necessary to keep the larger squad match fit. .But these problems are more the norm than the exception We play more attractive football now than we did under Jackett but results wise we have not progressed. Unless someone can put their finger on this intangible ( I can not) bringing in new - hopefully better- players will not be the complete answer.
