Match Preview: Pompey v Harrow Borough

All you need to know about Emirates FA Cup contest

5 November 2021

The Blues can put their quest for points to one side for a week, as they try to secure a place in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Danny Cowley’s side will want to avoid becoming victims of a giant-killing when they host non-league Harrow on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

The visitors compete in the Southern Football League Premier Division South – the seventh tier of English football.

That is the same level as Pompey’s neighbours Gosport, a side they beat 1-0 last week as part of a six-match winning run.

The last outing for Steve Baker’s men saw them narrowly win at South Park to reach the first round proper of the FA Trophy.

In the cup, Borough have already seen off Ramsgate, Welling, Marlow and Chelmsford to set up their trip to the south coast.

That latter success ensured that the club would be competing at this stage of the competition for just the fifth time in their history.

The Blues, of course, have plenty of FA Cup pedigree, having lifted the famous silverware in 1939 and 2008.

Under Kenny Jackett’s charge, they reached the third round last term, seeing off Ipswich and King’s Lynn before a narrow defeat at Bristol City.

Ahead if Armistice Day, a minute's silence will take place ahead of kick-off to pay tribute to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

TEAM NEWS
Ryan Tunnicliffe is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during last weekend’s win over Bolton.

Skipper Clark Robertson (hip) is still out of action, along with Ellis Harrison (ankle) and Jayden Reid (knee).

Paul Downing (hamstring) and Liam Vincent (shin) are not in contention after only recently returning to training.

Midfielder Kunle Otudeko looked to be a doubt for the hosts after limping from the field last week, but has since been declared fit enough to feature.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Gavin Bazunu or watch the video below.

HEAD TO HEAD
There have been no previous competitive meetings between the sides.

Pompey won 3-2 in a pre-season friendly in August 1987, though, courtesy of goals from Eamonn Collins, Paul Birch and Ian Baird.

TICKETS
Pompey fans can secure a seat online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office.

On the day of the game, they can also be purchased from the ticket booth behind the Fratton End.

All parking must be pre-booked here, with spaces currently on sale for the games on Saturday and Tuesday.

Fratton Park is now a cashless stadium, with contactless payments will be required in all food kiosks and hospitality areas, as well as for the purchase of tickets.

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

The Victory Bar will be open for home fans from 12pm on Saturday.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Scott Tallis
Assistants: Stuart Butler and Darren Blunden
Fourth Official: Michael Ryan

MATCH COVERAGE
The match is being broadcast live overseas. Click here for a list of television channels that show FA Cup matches.

All iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2.45pm on Saturday.

Please note that the game will not be shown live on iFollow, either in the UK or for supporters who are based abroad.

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 BBC Radio Solent or Express FM.

SECOND ROUND DRAW
The draw for the second round of the FA Cup will be shown live on ITV4 following the conclusion of the Dagenham & Redbridge v Salford tie. Click here to see all the ball numbers.

BETTING
Pompey are the 2/11 favourites with VBET to reach the second round, while the visitors can be backed at 13/1.

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

ALSO IN EMIRATES FA CUP
Games kick-off at 3pm unless stated

Friday
AFC Sudbury v Colchester (7.55pm)

Saturday
Scunthorpe v Doncaster (1pm)
Gillingham v Cheltenham (2pm)
AFC Wimbledon v Guiseley
Boreham Wood v Eaatleigh
Bradford v Exeter
Carlisle v Horsham
Charlton v Havant & Waterlooville
Chesterfield v Southend
Crawley v Tranmere
Crewe v Swindon
Halifax v Maidenhead
Fleetwood v Burton
Gateshead v Altrincham
Harrogate v Wrexham
Hartlepool v Wycombe
Hayes & Yeading v Sutton
Ipswich v Oldham
Kidderminster v Grimsby
King’s Lynn v Walsall
Leyton Orient v Ebbsfleet
Lincoln v Bowers & Pitsea
MK Dons v Stevenage
Morecambe v Newport
Northampton v Cambridge
Port Vale v Accrington
Rotherham v Bromley
Sunderland v Mansfield
Wigan v Solihull Moors
Yate v Yeovil
York v Buxton
Banbury v Barrow (5.15pm)

Sunday
Sheffield Wednesday v Plymouth (12.15pm)
Oxford v Bristol Rovers (1pm)
Bolton v Stockport
Rochdale v Notts County
Stratford v Shrewsbury
St Albans v Forest Green (5.15pm)

Monday
Dagenham & Redbridge v Salford (7.45pm)

LAST SEASON

Match Reports

Pompey 1 Harrow 0

Harness strike sends Blues into second round of Emirates FA Cup

6 November 2021

Marcus Harness in FA Cup action for Pompey against Harrow Borough at Fratton Park — Photo: Jason Brown

Pompey booked their spot in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup with relative ease after seeing off plucky Harrow Borough at Fratton Park.

Marcus Harness scored the only goal of the game in the first half following good work from Mahlon Romeo.

And there were plenty of other chances to make the margin of victory greater, but the Blues were unable to convert them.

Danny Cowley made two changes from the side that drew with Cheltenham in the league earlier in the week.

Miguel Azeez was handed just his second start for the club, while Shaun Williams also returned, as Reeco Hackett and Louis Thompson dropped to the bench.

With sides allowed to name nine players on the bench, academy duo Harry Jewitt-White and Harvey Hughes were included named among the substitutes.

Ahead of Armistice Day, there was a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.

When the action began, it did not come as a surprise to see the home side dominating both possession and territory.

Pompey were immediately on the attack, with Azeez and Ronan Curtis both seeing efforts blocked in quick succession.

Harness then sent in a teasing low delivery from the right that was agonisingly out of reach for both Azeez and John Marquis.

And a stretching Curtis was then unable to guide a header on target after meeting another fine cross from the lively Harness.

There was not too much happening at the other end, although Gavin Bazunu was called into action to deal with an angled James Ewington attempt.

Pompey were doing most of the attacking and Joe Morrell released Romeo down the right, with the full-back’s fierce drive parried away by Joe Strizovic.

Curtis was next to try his luck, collecting a pass from Connor Ogilvie and fizzing a long-range shot narrowly over the bar.

But the breakthrough did arrive on 28 minutes, when Romeo was afforded space to gallop down the right.

He then cut the ball back perfectly for HARNESS, who was left in plenty of space to coolly slot into the net.

The lead should have been doubled just a few seconds later, as a sliding Marquis somehow failed to connect with a low Harness centre.

And when Sean Raggett met an Azeez corner with a firm header, Strizovic dived to his left to push the ball to safety.

There was one heart-in-mouth moment at the opposite end, as Raggett’s short back-pass gifted a chance to Ewington, but Bazunu came to the rescue by tackling the striker.

The centre-back tried to make amends just before the break, with his header from a Harness corner looping onto the roof of the net.

Half Time: Pompey 1 Harrow Borough 0

Pompey picked up where they left off once the action restarted and Harness drilled a shot against the base of the post, with the loose ball not running for Curtis.

The opportunities kept coming and Romeo tried a drive after Marquis’ effort had been blocked into his path.

It was a clean strike from the full-back and Strizovic almost spilled it over the line, but recovered to grab hold of the ball at the second attempt.

But Harrow were still sitting deep, forcing the Blues to pass the ball around patiently and search for openings.

Cowley freshened up his forward line on the hour mark, with Azeez making way for Gassan Ahadme in the number 10 role.

And Thompson then replaced Williams, as the visitors continued to frustrate the Blues in their hunt for another goal.

They were looking to sit deep and soak up the pressure before trying to catch out their hosts on the break.

When Harness did get a shot away on 78 minutes, he was unable to catch out Strizovic at the keeper’s near post.

Cowley’s final intervention was a double switch, with Harness and Marquis withdrawn for Hackett and Michael Jacobs.

Harrow were trying their best to conjure some late cup magic, but a clean strike from George Moore flew straight into Bazunu’s arms.

But they were unable to test the keeper again during four minutes of stoppage-time, as the Blues ensured they would be in the hat for Monday night’s draw.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Bazunu; Romeo, Raggett, Ogilvie, Brown (c); Morrell, Williams (Thompson 73); Harness (Hackett 83), Azeez (Gassan 60), Curtis; Marquis (Jacobs 83)
Goals: Harness 28
Subs not used: Bass, Freeman, Hughes, Jewitt-White, Hirst

Harrow Borough (4-1-4-1): Strizovic; Adenola, Mansfield, Preddie (c) (Cole 71), Taylor; Donnellan; Bryan (Otudeko 74), Keita (Wynter 79), Uche, Moore; Ewington
Booked: Adenola, Uche
Subs not used: Pearce, Biler, Tricker, Cain, Ozobia, Owoeye

Referee: Scott Tallis

Attendance: 6,869 (499 away fans)

PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB

Standings

Match Preview: Pompey v Harrow Borough

Azeez: I've Learnt A Lot

Highlights: Pompey 1 Harrow Borough 0

Gallery: Pompey 1 Harrow Borough 0

Harness: Professional, But Not Pretty

Pompey 1 Harrow 0

Azeez: I've Learnt A Lot

Highlights: Pompey 1 Harrow Borough 0

Gallery: Pompey 1 Harrow Borough 0

Harness: Professional, But Not Pretty

Standings

Fixture News

Azeez: I've Learnt A Lot

Highlights: Pompey 1 Harrow Borough 0

Gallery: Pompey 1 Harrow Borough 0

Harness: Professional, But Not Pretty

Fixture News

Azeez: I've Learnt A Lot

Highlights: Pompey 1 Harrow Borough 0

Gallery: Pompey 1 Harrow Borough 0

Harness: Professional, But Not Pretty

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