Match Preview: Cambridge v Pompey

All you need to know about League One contest

3 March 2023

Pompey will receive another test of their ‘form club’ credentials when they visit Cambridge on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

John Mousinho has overseen a four-match unbeaten run, which includes three victories and just a single goal conceded.

After stunning high-flying Bolton earlier in the week, the next opponents are at the other end of the table.

Despite making a positive start to the campaign, United are currently only being kept off the foot of the table by Forest Green.

Mark Bonner’s men are only a couple of points adrift of safety, but are desperate for an upturn in results.

Last month’s narrow home success over Oxford is the only time they have collected a maximum haul since the turn of the year.

Of the last 33 points available, Cambridge have collected a mere five – leaving fans fearing a return to the basement after just two seasons at this level.

Pompey triumphed 4-1 when the sides met on the south coast all the way back in August, with Colby Bishop, Ronan Curtis, Michael Jacobs and Connor Ogilvie on target.

And fans will have fond memories of a 2015 trip to Abbey Stadium, when a Matt Tubbs treble helped secure a 6-2 victory for Andy Awford’s Blues.

TEAM NEWS
Ronan Curtis should be available after taking a knock to the knee on Tuesday night, while Tom Lowery could feature following his long-term hamstring problem.

There are doubts over the fitness of Reeco Hackett (back), while Jay Mingi (knee), Marlon Pack (knee), Jayden Reid (knee), Clark Robertson (hip) and Zak Swanson (groin) are missing.

Former Pompey loanee Steve Seddon is nearing a Cambridge return after suffering a fractured cheekbone and eye socket last month, but Saturday’s game is likely to come too soon.

Adam May is out for the rest of the season with a serious knee problem, but fellow Fratton academy graduate Brandon Haunstrup could feature, with Michael Morrison also likely to play.

The home side will also be without Harvey Knibbs (ankle) and George Thomas (ankle), while Harrison Dunk (ankle) is a doubt.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Michael Jacobs ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 15 wins
Cambridge: 3 wins
4 draws

On the road
Pompey: 6 wins
Cambridge: 2 wins
3 draws

TICKETS
Pompey fans have sold their full allocation of tickets and no more will be available to buy on the day of the game.

Click here for information about visiting Abbey Stadium that has been provided by the home club.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
Assistants: Stephen Wade and Kevin Howick
Fourth Official: Stephen Finch

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).

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

Morecambe v Bolton (12.30pm)
Accrington v Forest Green
Bristol Rovers v Barnsley
Cheltenham v Fleetwood
Derby v Shrewsbury
Ipswich v Burton
Lincoln v Oxford
Plymouth v Charlton
Port Vale v MK Dons
Sheffield Wednesday v Peterborough
Wycombe v Exeter

LAST MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Cambridge 0 Pompey 1

Bishop nods second half winner for Blues

4 March 2023

Colby Bishop scores for Pompey at Cambridge United — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

Colby Bishop found the target as Pompey won at Cambridge to record three successive League One victories for the first time in almost six months.

It did not look a likely outcome following a poor first half performance that saw them fortunate to go in level at the break.

But they did improve following the restart and Bishop nodded home an Owen Dale cross to reward the noisy travelling fans.

John Mousinho made one enforced change from the side that beat Bolton on home soil earlier in the week.

With Ronan Curtis injured, he was replaced by Tottenham loanee Dane Scarlett wide on the left.

But there was a return to the bench for Reeco Hackett, now recovered from the back problem that saw him miss the previous two games.

Michael Morrison started for Cambridge against his former club, with Steve Seddon named among the substitutes.

Pompey saw a lot of the ball in the early stages, but were unable to turn that into any meaningful chances.

Indeed, the opening half was short on quality, with both sides guilty of losing possession far too easily.

It was Cambridge who looked more likely to break the deadlock, although they failed to punish their opponents for some sloppy play.

Jack Lankester sent a low effort straight into the arms of Matt Macey before Liam Bennett headed James Brophy’s cross wastefully wide.

Dimitar Mitov misjudged Joe Rafferty’s long ball forward at the other end, but was eventually able to gather it.

Pompey were still struggling to find any fluency and might have fallen behind when Morrison had a free header from Conor McGrandles’ corner, only to send it over the bar.

McGrandles had a chance of his own after making space on the edge of the box, then dragging his shot wide.

The midfielder also sent Sam Smith racing clear and, perhaps under pressure from the advancing Macey, he fired wide.

Half Time: Cambridge 0 Pompey 0

Cambridge fired another warning shot straight after the break, although Macey was not overly troubled by Joe Ironside’s attempt.

Bennett also bent the ball wide after being found in space moments later, as the Blues continued to look well below their best.

A Rafferty delivery from the right created an opening at the other end, but Morrison did well to stop Bishop converting it.

And – backed by non-stop singing in the away end – they soon started to apply some pressure of their own.

Mousinho made a change on the hour mark and there was a welcome return to action for Tom Lowery, with Michael Jacobs the man to make way.

He soon played a lovely ball over the top for Dale and his shot was beaten away by Mitov, with the ball not falling for a Blues player.

But a goal did arrive on 65 minutes, when a corner was worked to Dale and his cross was headed home at the far post by BISHOP.

Cambridge had the ball in the net themselves soon after and it took a while for their supporters to realise a flag was raised for offside.

A fit-again Hackett replaced Scarlett for Pompey, while the home side’s substitutions included former Fratton loanee Seddon.

And he might have found an equaliser on 80 minutes, only to see his low shot well blocked by Sean Raggett.

United committed men forward in search of an equaliser as the seconds ticked down, but the Blues held firm to secure all three points.

Cambridge (3-4-1-2): Mitov; Morrison, Bennett, Jones; Bennett, Digby (Tracey 77), Lankester (O’Neil 68), Brophy (Seddon 78); McGrandles; Smith, Ironside
Booked: Lankester
Subs not used: Mannion, Williams, Okedina, Worman

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Macey; Rafferty, Raggett (c), Towler, Ogilvie; Tunnicliffe, Morrell; Dale (Pigott 89), Jacobs (Lowery 60), Scarlett (Hackett 78); Bishop
Goals: Bishop 65
Booked: Dale
Subs not used: Steward, Bernard, Thompson, Lane

Referee: Andrew Kitchen

Attendance: 6,667 (1,466 Pompey fans)