Match Preview: Pompey v Accrington

All you need to know about League One test

8 May 2021

It is a simple equation for Pompey going into the final round of League One fixtures – win and they are in the play-offs.

But Accrington will be looking to spoil the party when the sides meet at Fratton Park on Sunday (12pm kick-off).

A draw or defeat could be enough for Danny Cowley’s men if Oxford and Charlton drop points against Burton and Hull respectively.

That scenario could lead to plenty of chewed fingernails, however, and fans watching from home will hope for a more relaxed afternoon.

John Coleman’s Stanley are sitting 13th in the third tier standings and have nothing but pride to play for.

Club News

Quiz: Can You Remember Pompey's Final Day Opponents

3 May 2021

But you do not even have to go back two weeks to know that they will still likely provide stiff opponents for the Blues.

A rearranged contest at a sodden Crown Ground resulted in the points being shared in a six-goal thriller.

John Marquis thought he had nabbed an acrobatic stoppage-time winner, only to then inadvertently find his own net a few moments later.

Accrington head south on a four-match unbeaten run, drawing their past three games against promotion contenders Sunderland, Pompey and Charlton.

The most recent Fratton clash finished 1-1 and came on the final day of the 2018/19 campaign, with Ben Close on target.

TEAM NEWS

Jordy Hiwula in action for Pompey against Ipswich

Fixture News

Danny Cowley's Team News Ahead Of Accrington Clash

6 May 2021

The injured trio of Alex Bass (foot), Ellis Harrison (knee) and Michael Jacobs (knee) are all still sidelined for Pompey.

But Jack Whatmough has now completed a four-match ban, while Jordy Hiwula is available again after recovering from an ankle problem.

Boyhood Blues fan Matt Butcher is a doubt for the visitors with a hamstring issue, while Ross Sykes has been out injured since January.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Marcus Harness ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 6 wins
Accrington: 3 wins
7 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 4 wins
Accrington: 1 win
2 draws

OFFICIALS
Referee: Sam Purkiss
Assistants: Hristo Karaivanov and Simon Shaw
Fourth Official: Lee Swabey

MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters in the UK can watch the contest live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football or by purchasing a NOW streaming pass.

If you are based overseas, then please check local listings to see if the game is being shown in your region. Click here for a list of EFL international broadcasters.

The game cannot be viewed on iFollow, except in overseas regions where the EFL does not have a broadcasting deal. Click here and use the dropdown menu at the top of the page to see if you are able to watch.

iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from 11am on Sunday.

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.

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

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

BETTING
Pompey are the 8/15 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 5/1.

Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for Sunday’s game. 18+. Be Gamble Aware.

ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
All games kick-off at 12pm

Blackpool v Bristol Rovers
Charlton v Hull
Crewe v Shrewsbury
Doncaster v Peterborough
Gillingham v Plymouth
Ipswich v Fleetwood
Lincoln v AFC Wimbledon
MK Dons v Rochdale
Oxford v Burton
Sunderland v Northampton
Wigan v Swindon

LAST MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Pompey 0 Accrington 1

Defeat ensures Blues miss out on play-off place

9 May 2021

John Marquis in action for Pompey against Accrington Stanley at Fratton Park

Pompey missed out on a play-off place after suffering a narrow home defeat to Accrington on the final day of the season.

A fine goal from Adam Phillips proved the difference, with wins for Oxford and Charlton ensuring the Blues finished in eighth position.

They improved following a poor opening 45 minutes, but Stanley held on to end the promotion dreams of the Fratton faithful.

Danny Cowley made a single change from the side that beat AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane the previous week.

Jack Whatmough returned from a four-match ban to replace Sean Raggett at the heart of defence, with Paul Downing keeping his spot in the side.

A fit-again Jordy Hiwula – who had been out for more than a month with an ankle problem – was named among the substitutes.

There was a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of club legend Alan McLoughlin, who sadly passed away earlier in the week at the age of just 54.

It was Pompey who threatened first, but Toby Savin denied John Marquis when the striker collected Ronan Curtis’ threaded pass.

But Accrington were playing with a freedom that their position in the middle of the League One table afforded.

They began to take control of the contest and stopped their opponents finding any kind of rhythm going forward.

And Stanley deservedly broke the deadlock midway through the first half, with Colby Bishop and Harvey Rodgers working the ball across to Phillips, who lashed a shot into the roof of the net.

The same player almost doubled their lead soon after, but Craig MacGillivray got down to his right to push behind a low 35-yard free-kick.

Set-pieces were causing plenty of problems in the Blues back-line, with a succession of corners sent into the mixer.

Pompey might have levelled in stoppage-time, only for a teasing Curtis delivery to somehow evade everyone as it flashed just past the post.

There was still time for Accrington to find the net again, when Bishop nodded home a Sean McConville free-kick, but the striker had his celebrations cut shot by an offside flag.

Half Time: Pompey 0 Accrington 1

The hosts came out with plenty of energy following the interval and suddenly space opened up for Curtis.

He advanced almost half the length of the pitch before hitting a long-range effort that Savin managed to turn behind.

The same player was then unable to keep a shot down after the ball had run into his path when Marcus Harness’ attempt was blocked.

And more good work from Curtis fashioned another opening, with the winger cutting in from the left and finding Marquis, but Savin was quickly off his line to make the save.

Cowley made a triple substitution just before the hour mark, with Hiwula, George Byers and Harvey White on for Downing, Ben Close and former Stanley full-back Callum Johnson.

Skipper Tom Naylor dropped into a back three with Whatmough and Lee Brown, as Pompey went on the attack.

And Byers soon showed some nifty footwork to make himself some space to shoot, but Savin was equal to the effort.

The Blues were playing with plenty of urgency, although their visitors were defending resolutely to keep them at bay.

Charlie Daniels was thrown on for Ryan Williams for the closing stages and a low centre was cleared after he collected the ball from Curtis on the overlap.

And the defender was then played through on goal by Harness, only for Savin to tear from his line and make a fine save.

It looked like Daniels was fouled by Ben Barclay as he tried to get his shot away, but referee Sam Purkiss waved aside the appeals.

Curtis looked like he would get a late leveller when he sent a free-kick through the wall, only for Savin to again come to the visitors’ rescue.

And time ultimately ran out on Pompey, who will now prepare for a fifth successive season in League One.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): MacGillivray; Johnson (White 59), Downing (Hiwula 59), Whatmough, Brown; Naylor (c), Close (Byers 59); Harness, Williams (Daniels 79), Curtis; Marquis
Booked: Harness, Downing, Byers, White
Subs not used: Ward, Raggett, Cannon

Accrington (3-4-1-2): Savin; Barclay, Nottingham, Burgess; Rodgers, Phillips, Morgan, McConville (c); Russell (Scully 65); Bishop, Charles
Goals: Phillips 23
Booked: Rodgers
Subs not used: Buckley, Perritt, Sama, Martin, Mansell, Smyth

Referee: Sam Purkiss