Match Preview: Peterborough v Pompey

All you need to know about League One contest

27 January 2023

Both Peterborough and Pompey have made the decision to begin 2023 by making a change at the top.

Now Darren Ferguson and John Mousinho will be hoping to continue their winning starts when the sides meet at London Road on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

The former replaced Grant McCann in the dug-out at the start of the month, although has only had one game at the helm so far.

After a 2-0 victory at Port Vale – courtesy of Ephron Mason-Clark’s brace – the Posh saw scheduled contests against Charlton and Burton fall victim to the freezing temperatures.

Ferguson’s role will last until the end of the season and it is the fourth time he has taken on the job – having guided them to promotion the same number of times.

United currently sit eighth in the League One standings, but are just one point ahead of the Blues, having played the same number of games.

A brace from Dane Scarlett ensured Pompey emerged 2-1 victors when the teams clashed at Fratton Park earlier in the season.

But Peterborough – who were relegated from the Championship last term – have won each of the past three contests at London Road.

TEAM NEWS
Ronan Curtis (ankle) is set for a spell in the treatment room and Pompey remain without Tom Lowery (hamstring), Jay Mingi (knee), Joe Rafferty (stomach), Jayden Reid (knee) and Clark Robertson (hip).

Joe Morrell is suspended following his sending off at Fleetwood, but Michael Jacobs should be fit enough to feature after missing Tuesday’s game as a precaution.

Peterborough are missing Ollie Norburn (knee), Joe Tomlinson (hamstring) and Kell Watts (knee), but former Blues defenders Dan Butler and Nathan Thompson could feature.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Matt Macey ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 13 wins
Peterborough: 11 wins
9 draws

On the road
Pompey: 4 wins
Peterborough: 5 wins
6 draws

OFFICIALS
Referee: Robert Madley
Assistants: Rob Smith and Carl Fitch-Jackson
Fourth Official: Thomas Kirk

TICKETS
Tickets are no longer available to buy directly from Pompey, but will be on sale from the Peterborough ticket office on the day of the game. Please note that London Road is a cashless stadium.

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 (not available online).

BETTING
Peterborough are the 20/21 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 5/2.

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.

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

Charlton v Bolton (12.30pm)
Burton v Oxford
Cheltenham v Port Vale
Lincoln v Cambridge
MK Dons v Exeter
Morecambe v Bristol Rovers
Shrewsbury v Forest Green

CLASSIC CONTEST

Match Previews

Match Reports

Peterborough 2 Pompey 1

Late rally not enough for Blues

28 January 2023

Ryley Towler in action for Pompey at Peterborough United — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

John Mousinho experienced his first disappointment as Pompey head coach with a 2-1 defeat at Peterborough.

Jonson Clarke-Harris bagged a brace in the first half – the second from the penalty spot – to leave the hosts cruising.

The Blues battled back after the break, though, and Reeco Hackett’s effort was controversially disallowed.

A late Nathan Thompson own-goal did ensure a tense finale, but the visitors were unable to find an equaliser.

Mousinho made two enforced changes from the side that won on the road at Fleetwood earlier in the week.

With Ronan Curtis injuring his ankle and Joe Morrell suspended, in came Dane Scarlett and Louis Thompson.

The latter was making his first start since suffering a broken leg in August and was up against brother Nathan, who was selected by the hosts.

Peterborough shaded the opening exchanges and yet it was the visitors who had the first decent chance to break the deadlock.

It came from a long Marlon Pack throw that was launched into the box, with the ball hitting Ryley Towler and flying inches past the post.

But instead it was the hosts who did forge ahead soon after, when Kwame Poku cut in from the right and hit a low pass into the box.

Pompey were unable to clear the danger and ball rolled through to Clarke-Harris, who was left with a simple close-range finish.

The visitors tried to find a response and Pack’s free-kick somehow evaded everyone on its way out of play, while a corner from the same player was headed over by Towler.

Zak Swanson then sent a teasing delivery right into the mixer, where a diving Colby Bishop could not quite make a connection.

And instead the Posh had the chance to take a commanding lead into the interval when Swanson was penalised for bringing down Ephron Mason-Clark just inside the area.

Clarke-Harris stepped up to take the spot-kick and slammed home an unstoppable effort past Matt Macey.

Half Time: Peterborough 2 Pompey 0

Pompey might have fallen further behind just after the restart after an unfortunate slip from Swanson.

That allowed Mason-Clark to cut the ball back for Joe Ward inside the box, but his fierce strike was beaten away by Macey.

And the keeper came to the rescue again moments later, this time using his legs to deny Ward following a quick Posh counter.

Still the hosts kept coming forward and a Mason-Clark cross from the left was nodded wide by Jack Taylor from just a few yards out.

Thompson received a booking for the Blues after fouling Mason-Clark just before the hour mark and that was his last contribution, immediately making way for Hackett.

Pompey had their first shot on target on 67 minutes, with Scarlett bringing the ball down smartly and hitting a low shot that Will Norris got down to save.

A passage of neat passing play then ended with former Posh midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe having a shot deflected past the post.

It was the visitors’ best phase of the game and Mousinho added some fresh attacking legs by replacing Owen Dale with Michael Jacobs.

There was then a moment of controversy when Bishop’s path to goal was halted and Hackett slotted home the loose ball.

But referee Robert Madden went over to speak to his assistant and after a period of deliberation, decided to disallow the goal.

It left Pompey – those on the pitch, in the dug-out and in the stands – furious and the supporters made their displeasure heard.

Joe Pigott and Harry Jewitt-White were brought on for the closing stages, with the latter making his league debut.

And the Blues had a lifeline on 87 minutes when Hackett beat his man and sent in a cross that was inadvertently turned into his own net by THOMPSON.

That understandably stunned the hosts, but they managed to see out six minutes of added time to claim all three points.

Peterborough (4-4-2): Norris; N.Thompson, Kent, Edwards, Butler; Ward, Kyprianou (Knight 83), Taylor, Mason-Clark; Poku (Burrows 71), Clarke-Harris (c) (Ogbeta 88)
Goals: Clarke-Harris 17, 44 (pen)
Booked: Kyprianou, Clarke-Harris
Subs not used: Blackmore, B.Thompson, Randall, Jones

Pompey (4-3-3): Macey; Swanson, Raggett, Towler, Ogilvie; Tunnicliffe (Jewitt-White 86), Pack (c), Thompson (Hackett 58); Dale (Jacobs 74), Bishop, Scarlett (Pigott 86)
Goals: N.Thompson 87 (og)
Booked: Thompson, Pack
Subs not used: Oluwayemi, Freeman, Hume

Referee: Robert Madley

Attendance: 8,919 (1,561 Pompey fans)