Match Preview: Pompey v Lincoln

All you need to know about League One contest

5 August 2022

Fratton Park has received its facelift and is now waiting impatiently to host competitive football again.

Lincoln are the visitors on Saturday (3pm kick-off) for the first piece of League One action since major works in the South and North stands.

Both sides come into the fixture – expected to take place under bright south coast sunshine – on the back of a draw on the opening day.

The Blues earned a point at Sheffield Wednesday in a see-saw contest that saw them twice battle from behind and then lead before ultimately having to settle for a point.

Their opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate with newly promoted Exeter on home soil, as Tom Hopper cancelled out Sam Nombe’s opener.

Mark Kennedy is the new man in charge at Sincil Bank following the departure of Michael Appleton at the end of last term.

The Imps were twice beaten when the sides clashed during the 2021/22 campaign, including a 3-2 defeat at Fratton Park.

Ronan Curtis grabbed a late winner on Good Friday after the hosts had let slip their two-goal advantage.

TEAM NEWS
Pompey will be hoping skipper Clark Robertson recovers from a foot injury to make his first appearance of the season.

Denver Hume is continuing his path back to full fitness following a back problem, while Joe Morrell (groin) and Jayden Reid (hamstring) are both absent.

Lewis Montsma (knee) is missing for Lincoln, who also have doubts over the fitness of Danny Mandroiu and Charles Vernam.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Joe Rafferty ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 13 wins
Lincoln: 6 wins
5 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 7 wins
Lincoln: 3 wins
3 draws

TICKETS
Pompey fans can secure their seat online here, with tickets now available to buy in the Milton End.

Subject to availability, they can be purchased from the ticket office or Fratton End booth on the day of the game, although prices do increase.

Click here for more information on tickets for this fixture, including advice for season ticket holders.

Supporters can also click here to read our matchday guide and find out what is happening ahead of the game.

OFFICIALS
Referee: David Rock
Assistants: Kevin Howick and Paul Yates
Fourth Official: Lisa Benn

MATCH COVERAGE
Domestic 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 2pm on Saturday.

Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with accompanying commentary.

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.

BETTING
Pompey are the 77/100 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 16/5.

Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for Saturday’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
All games kick-off at 3pm

Barnsley v Cheltenham
Bolton v Wycombe
Burton v Bristol Rovers
Charlton v Derby
Exeter v Port Vale
Fleetwood v Plymouth
Forest Green v Ipswich
MK Dons v Sheffield Wednesday
Oxford v Cambridge
Peterborough v Morecambe
Shrewsbury v Accrington

LAST MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Pompey 0 Lincoln 0

Blues held to a draw at Fratton Park

6 August 2022

Reeco Hackett in action for Pompey against Lincoln City at Fratton Park — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

Pompey started the season with consecutive stalemates after being unable to break down Lincoln at Fratton Park.

There were not too many clear-cut opportunities at either end of the pitch on the hot and sunny south coast.

Reeco Hackett came closest to securing all three points for the Blues, but in truth, Carl Rushworth was not tested enough between the sticks.

Danny Cowley made one change from the side that took a point from an eventful encounter at Sheffield Wednesday the previous week.

It came wide on the attacking right, where Ronan Curtis dropped to the bench to make way for Hackett.

The crowd were introduced to new signing Tom Lowery, who had signed too late on Friday to feature in the game.

Pompey showcased some neat footwork in the opening stages, although the heat quickly sapped energy levels.

There was nothing much to trouble either keeper in the opening stages, although a Michael Jacobs drive was comfortably dealt with by Rushworth.

Referee David Rock paused the contest on 19 minutes, so the crowd and players could show their respect for baby Maximus Linter, who tragically passed away in June.

Pompey continued to push forward as the first half progressed and a couple of clever Hackett passes had to be intercepted.

The same player then saw his low curler gathered by Rushworth following some neat play between Colby Bishop and Jacobs.

It was the Blues finishing the half with a flourish and Rushworth dived to his left to keep out a Joe Pigott free-kick.

A left-sided delivery from Connor Ogilvie was then cleverly left by Bishop for Hackett, whose shot was blocked.

The ball bounced up for the forward to have a second attempt, although his acrobatic half-volley went over.

Half Time: Pompey 0 Lincoln 0

A dangerous Pigott cross from the left soon after the restart had to be clawed to safety by Rushworth.

But the match was still lacking a spark to lift it from its slumbers, with the warm conditions likely playing their part.

Cowley introduced fresh energy from the bench just past the hour mark, as Pigott and Hackett made way for Dane Scarlett and Curtis.

The Blues were still trying to force a breakthrough, but Joe Rafferty could not find the target after a Jacobs free-kick had been cleared into his path.

Another switch soon followed for the hosts, with Louis Thompson being replaced in the engine room by Jay Mingi.

Both sides then had chances in quick succession, starting with Adam Jackson heading a corner into the side netting – although some of the away fans thought it had gone in.

Michael Morrison soon launched a long pass for Scarlett to collect, but the loanee was unable to beat Rushworth from a tight angle.

Cowley’s final switch was a like-for-like one in the right-back position, with Zak Swanson coming on for Rafferty to make his debut.

Scarlett had a shot blocked, while Morrison’s header from a long Marlon Pack throw flew straight into Rushworth’s arms.

The display of eight additional minutes lifted the Fratton faithful, but the Blues were unable to find a late winner.

Pompey (4-4-2): Griffiths; Rafferty (Swanson 81), Morrison, Raggett (c), Ogilvie; Hackett (Curtis 62), Thompson (Mingi 70), Pack, Jacobs; Pigott (Scarlett 62), Bishop
Subs not used: Oluwayemi, Freeman, Mnoga

Lincoln (4-3-3): Rushworth; Eyoma, O’Connor, Poole, Robson; Sanders, Sørensen, Oakley-Boothe; Adelakun (Jackson 77), Hopper (c), Bishop (Maguire 72)
Booked: Sanders, Sørensen
Subs not used: Wright, Roughan, Worsfold-Gregg, Makama, Kendall

Referee: David Rock

Attendance: 17,855 (481 away fans)