Match Preview: Fleetwood v Pompey

All you need to know about League One test

15 January 2021

It does not seem too long ago since Pompey and Fleetwood last clashed in a battle for points.

And, well, that is because it wasn’t – with the Blues having only played one league match since the pair faced off at Fratton Park before Christmas.

That game finished goalless and was a pretty fractious affair, with the hosts then having their next three fixtures postponed due to a mixture of Covid-19 and the weather.

A lot has changed for the Cod Army since that bad-tempered evening on the south coast just over four weeks ago.

They dismissed Joey Barton as manager, despite the club sitting just three points outside the play-off places in 10th position.

Youth team boss Simon Wiles was handed the reins on an interim basis, but his only game in charge to date was Tuesday evening’s Papa John’s Trophy defeat at Hull.

They led that tie 2-0 with just 12 minutes remaining, only to concede three late goals to exit the competition.

Fleetwood have drawn their past three league matches – a run that started at Fratton Park – and are now sitting 11th, looking to close the six-point gap to Pompey having played a game more.

Kenny Jackett’s side were beaten 1-0 in last season’s corresponding fixture, although did win 2-1 at Highbury in the FA Cup.

TEAM NEWS
Ronan Curtis is currently self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, but will hopefully return to training on Sunday.

Alex Bass (calf) and Paul Downing (hamstring) are the only two players currently in the Pompey treatment room.

Fleetwood handed a debut to Blackburn loan keeper Joe Hilton earlier in the week, with Alex Cairns self-isolating after suffering Covid symptoms and Joel Coleman injured.

Striker Kyle Vassell could make his Cod Army bow against the Blues after arriving from Rotherham for the remainder of the season.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Kenny Jackett and Ryan Williams ahead of the game.

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

At Highbury
Pompey: 3 wins
Fleetwood: 2 wins
0 draws

OFFICIALS
Referee: James Bell
Assistants: Richard Bartlett and Matthew Bristow
Fourth Official: Sebastian Stockbridge

MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters in the UK can watch the action live – with graphics, commentary and replays – by purchasing a match pass for £10.

Subscribers will, as usual, be able to listen to listen to live commentary from Andy Moon and Alan McLoughlin by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from 2pm.

Please note that subscribers based in the UK and Ireland will still need to purchase a match pass in order to watch the game live.

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 updates throughout the game on Twitter and the match centre. You can also see behind-the-scenes content on our Instagram story.

Fixture News

Fleetwood v Pompey: iFollow Commentary

15 January 2021

There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday.

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

Please note that current BBC guidelines mean commentators are not allowed to travel outside of their regions for games.

The BBC Radio Solent team will still be providing commentary from their studio for listeners on the radio and iFollow audio stream.

However, because this will not sync up with the iFollow video stream, supporters watching the game will only hear ambient stadium noise. Alternatively, they can use the settings cog to switch to local Fleetwood commentary.

BETTING
Pompey are the 27/20 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 85/40.

Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for Saturday's game. Please gamble responsibly.

ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
Games kick-off at 3pm unless stated

AFC Wimbledon v Sunderland (1pm)
Accrington v Gillingham
Bristol Rovers v Charlton
Burton v Ipswich
Hull v Blackpool
Northampton v Oxford
Peterborough v MK Dons
Plymouth v Crewe
Rochdale v Wigan
Swindon v Doncaster

CLASSIC CONTEST

Match Previews

Match Reports

Fleetwood 0 Pompey 1

Marquis heads Blues winner at Highbury Stadium

16 January 2021

John Marquis scores for Pompey at Fleetwood — Photo: Daniel Chesterton

John Marquis found the target as Pompey won at Fleetwood on their long-awaited return to League One action.

It was certainly not the most fluent performance of the season so far, but the striker’s header proved enough to secure all three points.

Their opponents saw plenty of the ball – particularly after the break – without asking any serious questions of Craig MacGillivray.

Kenny Jackett made one change from the side that visited Bristol City in the FA Cup the previous week.

Jack Whatmough came off the bench in that game, but started against Fleetwood, as Rasmus Nicolaisen dropped to the bench.

Both sides took a while to find their radar, perhaps still a bit rusty having not previously contested a league match in 2021.

But the visitors went ahead with the game’s first proper chance on 16 minutes, as Ryan Williams swung in a fine cross from the right.

It was a difficult delivery to deal with and MARQUIS took advantage, diving forward to head the ball home.

Fleetwood might have grabbed an immediate leveller, but Callum Camps could not beat MacGillivray after Paddy Madden had slipped a neat pass into the box.

Pompey were the side on top, though, and enjoyed a period of possession, without being able to test Joe Hilton between the sticks.

But their opponents gradually started to find their feet and the Blues had to deal with a number of set-pieces sent into the mixer.

They tried to capitalise on a loose ball and Andy Cannon intercepted it and drove forward before finding Williams, whose shot was blocked.

Callum Connolly should have done better at the other end soon after, unable to guide Kyle Vassell’s cross on target.

Pompey were struggling to carve open any more meaningful openings and Marquis could not make firm contact as he tried to glance home a Williams centre.

Cannon and Williams did combine well again before the break, though, and the latter saw another shot blocked by the stretching Camps.

It was the Cod Army who finished the half on top, although Vassell sent two headers off target, while a Josh Morris free-kick was easily dealt with by MacGillivray.

Half Time: Fleetwood 0 Pompey 1

The home side were showing more attacking intent immediately following the restart, with plenty of possession in and around the Pompey area.

But it was the Blues who had a chance to extend their lead when Michael Jacobs collected a Marquis pass and fired straight at Hilton.

The keeper then took a poor touch and Williams tried to take advantage, laying the ball off for Marquis, who could not keep his effort down.

It was still an incredibly tight and scrappy encounter, however, with neither side able to find any attacking fluency.

Fleetwood were certainly seeing more of the ball, but some stubborn defending was keeping MacGillivray well protected.

Tom Naylor also flung himself in the path of one fierce strike to ensure the keeper was not called into action.

Pompey were still posing a threat on the counter, though, and Charlie Mulgrew did well to recover after an initial failure to clear had given the ball to Marquis.

The visitors were still holding firm at the other end and when the ball fell to Camps following a spot of pinball, his shot found a path through to MacGillivray.

A Shayden Morris header was also dealt with by the keeper, as the Blues saw out the closing stages to secure all three points.

Fleetwood (4-2-3-1): Hilton; Connolly, Hill, Mulgrew, Rydel; Whelan (Rossiter 72), Coutts (c); Vassell, Camps, J.Morris (S.Morris 79); Madden
Subs not used: Holgate, Duffy, Finley, Matete, Saunders

Pompey (4-4-2): MacGillivray; Johnson, Whatmough, Raggett, Brown; Harness, Naylor (c), Cannon, Jacobs; Marquis, Williams
Goals: Marquis 16
Booked: Whatmough
Subs not used: Turnbull, Mnoga, Bolton, Nicolaisen, Close, Hiwula, Harrison

Referee: James Bell