Match Preview: Pompey v Shrewsbury

All you need to know about League One test

17 August 2021

Pompey will aim to start the season with a hat-trick of League One wins by beating Shrewsbury on home soil this evening (7.45pm kick-off).

Victories over Fleetwood and Crewe have placed Danny Cowley’s side in second place at this extremely early stage.

Their opponents, by contrast, are still looking to put their first points on the board following defeats to Burton and Morecambe.

They did, however, enjoy a penalty shoot-out triumph over Lincoln to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup.

There is also the welcome sight of Steve Cotterill back in the dug-out after a spell in intensive care after contracting Covid-19.

He will, of course, be making a return to Fratton Park, having taken charge of the Blues in the Championship between 2010 and 2011.

The sides met on the opening day of last season and played out a turgid goalless draw on the south coast.

It was more exciting in Shropshire for Cowley’s second match at the helm, when John Marquis both scored and was sent off in a 2-1 victory for Pompey.

TEAM NEWS
Jayden Reid (knee) and Liam Vincent (shin) are the only players currently in the treatment room, while Callum Johnson is still suspended.

The visitors are without defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell, who is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

Shrewsbury also have injury doubts over forwards Ryan Bowman (hamstring) and Shaun Whalley (hand).

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and George Hirst ahead of the game or watch the video below.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 15 wins
Shrewsbury: 10 wins
4 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 11 wins
Shrewsbury: 2 wins
2 draws

TICKETS
Fans can purchase tickets online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office, with no matchday price increase for tonight’s game.

Supporters buying tickets at the game tonight can either go to the ticket office or the booth behind the Fratton End.

CODE OF CONDUCT
Portsmouth Football Club respectfully ask all supporters to adhere to the Code of Conduct to ensure an enjoyable and safe matchday experience for all.

CASHLESS STADIUM
Please note that Fratton Park is now a cashless stadium and supporters will need to use contactless payment methods when purchasing tickets, food and drink.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Trevor Kettle
Assistants: Ryan Whitaker and Michael Chard
Fourth Official: Nicholas Dunn

MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live – with four-camera coverage – 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, 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 Sunday.

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

BETTING
Pompey are the 7/10 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 21/5.

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

ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
All games kick-off at 7.45pm

Accrington v Doncaster
AFC Wimbledon v Gillingham
Burton v Sunderland
Cheltenham v Ipswich
Lincoln v Bolton
MK Dons v Charlton
Morecambe v Rotherham
Oxford v Crewe
Plymouth v Cambridge
Sheffield Wednesday v Fleetwood
Wigan v Wycombe

LAST MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Pompey 1 Shrewsbury 0

Tunnicliffe on target at Fratton Park

17 August 2021

Ryan Tunnicliffe scores for Pompey against Shrewsbury Town at Fratton Park — Photo: Jason Brown

Ryan Tunnicliffe struck after just 120 seconds to see off Shrewsbury and secure a third successive League One victory for Pompey.

The midfielder had already provided three assists in the first couple of games, but managed to open his account at the Milton End to send the hosts to the summit.

There was a welcome return to Fratton Park for Shrews boss Steve Cotterill following his spell in intensive care with Covid-19 last term.

And his side certainly provided tough opposition, but could not find a way through to seriously test Gavin Bazunu between the sticks.

Danny Cowley stuck with the same side that had played so well in their victory over Crewe at the weekend.

The ground was noticeably fuller than the weekend and the crowd were in fine voice when the action got underway.

But some had barely settled into their seats by the time the deadlock was broken after just 120 seconds.

The visitors struggled to deal with some nice passing play between Marcus Harness and TUNNICLIFFE, with the latter neatly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Shrewsbury had an instant chance to level, with Bazunu getting down to his left to deny Elliott Bennett and Tom Bloxham blazing the loose ball over.

It was an entertaining contest and a mis-hit forward pass from Tunnicliffe almost looped over Shrews keeper Marko Maroši, who just about managed to pluck it from the air.

A long-range effort from Reeco Hackett-Fairchild was then deflected wide after the young forward had been teed-up by a neat Harness flick.

But it was certainly not one-way traffic and the visitors enjoyed plenty of joy going forward, without being able to test Bazunu.

A Shaun Williams corner caused problems at the other end, but a touch in the box from Clark Robertson allowed Matthew Pennington to make a vital block.

Half Time: Pompey 1 Shrewsbury 0

There were two changes before the action restarted, with Harness not emerging from the tunnel and being replaced by Gassan Ahadme.

Robertson initially came out onto the pitch, but was withdrawn for Connor Ogilvie, suggesting he might have picked up a knock.

It was the visitors that made the stronger start to the half, with Bazunu getting down to tip Luke Leahy’s bobbling effort around the post.

And the wide player then hit a dangerous delivery across the face of goal that none of his team-mates could connect with.

Ronan Curtis sent a superb cross into the box at the other end and it deserved a converting touch, but Hackett-Fairchild could not quite get there at the back post.

Both sides were looking capable of adding to the scoring and Bazunu was soon called into action to deal with a Josh Vela drive from the edge of the box.

Pennington then bravely put his head in front of Gassan to deal with a Hackett-Fairchild centre, with both players getting nasty cuts in the process.

Hackett-Fairchild had a chance to double the hosts’ lead when the action restarted, but dragged his shot wide after the ball was laid off by Gassan.

Shrewsbury poured forward in the closing stages, though, and almost had a leveller, only for Aaron Pierre’s firm header to be kept out by Bazunu.

The visitors were buoyed by a display of eight additional minutes, but the Blues saw them out to claim top spot.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Bazunu; Freeman, Raggett, Robertson (c) (Ogilvie 46), Brown; Tunnicliffe, Williams; Harness (Gassan 46), Hackett-Fairchild, Curtis; Marquis (Harrison 90+4)
Goals: Tunnicliffe 3
Booked: Curtis
Subs not used: Bass, Morrell, Jacobs, Hirst

Shrewsbury (4-2-3-1): Maroši; Daniels (Ogbeta 84), Pennington, Pierre, Nurse; Bennett (c), Vela; Bloxham (Pyke 62), Udoh, Leahy; Cosgrove
Booked: Vela
Subs not used: Burgoyne, Gregory, Davis, Caton

Referee: Trevor Kettle

Attendance: 14,471 (259 away fans)