Match Preview: Morecambe v Pompey

All you need to know about League One contest

17 April 2022

Pompey’s relentless run of games continues with an Easter Monday contest at Morecambe (3pm kick-off).

It will be their third fixture in less than a week, with the previous two resulting in wins over Rotherham and Lincoln.

Their opponents are desperate for points in the fiercely contested battle to beat the drop from League One.

The Shrimps currently have the upper hand, however, and sit three points above that dreaded dotted line.

Derek Adams had left his role as manager after leading the side to fourth tier play-off glory at Wembley last season.

But he returned to replace Stephen Robinson, who departed the Mazuma Stadium to take charge of St Mirren in February.

And Paul Cook’s old sparring partner has helped guide the Lancastrians to three victories from their past four games, including Friday’s 3-2 success at Charlton.

Pompey are looking to triumph on Morecambe’s patch for the first time, having drawn two and lost two of their previous four visits.

They did come out on top when the sides met on the south coast before Christmas, however, courtesy of goals from Marcus Harness and Connor Ogilvie.

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

Denver Hume (back) is closing in on being available again, while Joe Morrell went off on Friday with a dead leg.

Morecambe defender Ryan McLaughlin could miss out again, having been absent through injury for the past couple of matches.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Michael Jacobs ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 3 wins
Morecambe: 2 wins
4 draws

On the road
Pompey: 0 wins
Morecambe: 2 wins
2 draws

TICKETS
Pompey fans can purchase tickets by visiting the away ticket office at Morecambe (next to turnstiles 3-4) on the day of the game.

This is the same place to visit for any supporter who needs to collect tickets that have already been bought.

Click here to read a matchday guide on the Morecambe website.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Robert Madley
Assistants: Kevin Mulraine and Joe Simpson
Fourth Official: Matthew Parry

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.

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 Tuesday.

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

BETTING
Pompey are the 11/10 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 23/10.

Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for Monday’s game. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.

We are committed to playing our part in ensuring our relationship with VBET is promoted in the right way to our supporters.

That is why VBET has partnered with BettorMind, to provide responsible gambling advice around key betting behaviours.

When it comes to betting, we advise all fans to make use of our dedicated responsible gambling site.

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

Monday
AFC Wimbledon v Wycombe
Bolton v Accrington
Gillingham v Fleetwood
Lincoln v Cheltenham
Plymouth v Sunderland
Shrewsbury v Doncaster

Tuesday
Burton v Rotherham (7.45pm)
Cambridge v Charlton (7.45pm)
Ipswich v Wigan (7.45pm)
Oxford v MK Dons (7.45pm)
Sheffield Wednesday v Crewe (7.45pm)

LAST MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Morecambe 1 Pompey 1

Raggett goal cancelled out at the death

18 April 2022

Marcus Harness in action for Pompey at Morecambe — Photo: Daniel Chesterton

Pompey were denied a third successive League One victory after conceding deep into stoppage-time at Morecambe.

A moment of magic from Sean Raggett looked to be enough to earn all three points for the battling Blues.

But substitute Jonah Ayunga controversially converted in a congested penalty area right at the death to boost the Shrimps’ hopes of beating the drop.

Danny Cowley made three changes from the side that secured a dramatic win over Lincoln on Good Friday.

Ronan Curtis was rewarded for coming off the bench to net the winner, while there were also starts for Ryan Tunnicliffe and Shaun Williams.

Aiden O’Brien and Louis Thompson dropped to the bench and Joe Morrell missed out completely after going off early against the Imps with a dead leg.

Trevor Carson started between the sticks for the home side, who had fellow former Fratton loanee Toumani Diagouraga on the bench.

The visitors started brightly and when Clark Robertson nodded the ball down, Raggett had a shot blocked and Tunnicliffe then fired over.

But it was Morecambe who began to look more threatening and Dylan Connolly bent the ball inches past the post after Cole Stockton’s pass sent him racing away.

Williams tried his luck at the other end of the pitch, but although his effort was cleanly struck, it flew straight into Carson’s arms.

Pompey then had Gavin Bazunu to thank for a series of smart stops that prevented the home side from forging ahead.

He just about got his fingertips to a low Arthur Gnahoua shot to tip the ball against the inside of the post, where it then ricocheted to safety.

And the keeper was at it again moments later to prevent Stockton from turning home a Greg Leigh delivery.

The danger was not over, though, and Bazunu had to recover quickly to save the striker’s follow-up effort with his feet.

It was not until the end of the first half that the Blues began to find a bit of rhythm and pass the ball around with fluidity.

And they made their late pressure count when Robertson lifted a pass into the box and Curtis rose to nod it into the mixer.

The ball fell to the feet of RAGGETT, who brought it under control and spun before hooking a superb shot against the upright and into the net.

Half Time: Morecambe 0 Pompey 1

Leigh threatened for the hosts once the action restarted, but after doing the hard work to get into a good position, he dragged his effort wide

George Hirst then got forward at the other end and bent an attempt narrowly off target in a lively opening to the half.

But the Blues were almost undone in comical fashion on 54 minutes, when there was hesitation over who should deal with a pass through the defence.

Bazunu eventually came out to clear and kicked the ball against Gnahoua, with the ricochet sending it inches past the post.

Ousmane Fane then teed-up Stockton with a square pass across the edge of the box, only for the striker to fire straight at Bazunu.

Cowley responded with a couple of changes just past the hour mark, as Williams and Michael Jacobs made way for Thompson and O’Brien.

Pompey were looking for a second goal and Hirst fired a low shot wide after doing well to nab possession on the edge of the box.

A final throw of the dice from Cowley came on 72 minutes, with Mahlon Romeo on for Marcus Harness.

That came after a Bazunu clearance had been charged down by Adam Phillips and the ball flew wide, while the Morecambe midfielder then wastefully shot wide after being found by Stockton.

The hosts stepped up the pressure in search of a late leveller and Diagouraga thought he had found one, only for referee Robert Madley to spot a hand being used as the ball was bundled into the net.

But they were finally able to celebrate deep into stoppage-time when Bazunu came to collect a Leigh corner.

He was unable to hold on amidst a sea of bodies, though, and Ayunga forced the ball home, with Madley ignoring Pompey appeals for what looked to be a foul.

Morecambe (4-1-4-1): Carson; Leigh, Bennett, Bedeau, Gibson; Fane (McCalmont 77); Connolly (Diagouraga 68), Phillips, Wildig (c) (Ayunga 60), Gnahoua; Stockton
Goals: Ayunga 90+3
Booked: Leigh
Subs not used: Smith, Cooney, O’Connor, McLoughlin

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Bazunu; Carter, Raggett, Robertson (c), Ogilvie; Tunnicliffe, Williams (Thompson 63); Harness (Romeo 72), Curtis, Jacobs (O’Brien 64); Hirst
Goals: Raggett 41
Subs not used: Webber, Vincent, Mingi, Walker

Referee: Robert Madley

Attendance: 4,893 (806 Pompey fans)