Match Preview: Pompey v AFC Wimbledon

All you need to know about Papa John’s Trophy contest

1 November 2022

Pompey will look to progress to the Papa Johns Trophy knockout stages when they host AFC Wimbledon in the final Southern Group B fixture this evening (7.45pm kick-off).

Danny Cowley knows exactly what his side need to do in order to book safe passage through to the last 32 of the competition.

A draw would be enough to guarantee second spot because Crawley – who have one point more – have already played their three fixtures and have an inferior goal difference.

But to finish top and be assured of a home tie in the second round, the Blues require a victory against the leaders.

Johnnie Jackson’s men currently have a 100 per cent record, having beaten Aston Villa U21s (2-1) and Crawley (3-2) on home soil.

The Dons were relegated from League One last term and currently sit 15th in the fourth tier, with 19 points from 16 games.

But they head to the south coast on a good run of form, with a draw against Crewe sandwiched by victories over Rochdale and Harrogate.

That latter fixture at the weekend saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat by scoring two late goals to seal a 3-2 success.

The sides also met in the group stages of last season’s Papa Johns Trophy when an Ellis Harrison hat-trick could not prevent Pompey from losing 5-3 at Plough Lane.

In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, both sides will collect a point. A penalty shoot-out will then be held, with the winners earning a bonus point.

TEAM NEWS
Tom Lowery (hamstring) and Marlon Pack (hamstring) have both returned to training, although are not ready to feature this evening.

There is a doubt over Michael Jacobs (hamstring), while both Reeco Hackett and Clark Robertson have been suffering from illness.

Joe Rafferty (stomach), Jayden Reid (knee) and Louis Thompson (leg) are all on the long-term injury list.

AFC Wimbledon could make plenty of changes to their side, having already booked their spot in the next round.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of Danny Cowley and Josh Oluwayemi ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD*
Overall
Pompey: 20 wins
Wimbledon: 15 wins
10 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 13 wins
Wimbledon: 4 wins
5 draws

*Includes matches against Wimbledon FC

TICKETS
Pompey fan can purchase tickets in the South Stand online here or from the Anson Road ticket office. They will also be sold from the Fratton End booth this evening.

Please note that the Victory Bar will not be open tonight and there is no fanzone, while a programme has not been produced for this game.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Craig Hicks
Assistants: Anthony Da Costa and Alan Cresswell
Fourth Official: Wayne Cartmel

MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live 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 as usual, 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 Wednesday.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either Express FM or BBC Radio Solent (not available online).

BETTING
Pompey are the 2/5 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 6/1.

Click here to find a comprehensive list of odds for this evening’s game. 18+. Please gamble responsibly.

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TONIGHT’S OTHER FIXTURES
Games kick-off at 7.45pm unless stated

Papa Johns Trophy
Crewe v Leeds U21 (7pm)

League One
Lincoln v Accrington
Morecambe v Derby
Oxford v Fleetwood
Wycombe v Port Vale

LAST FRATTON MEETING

Match Reports

Pompey 1 AFC Wimbledon 1

Blues progress in Papa Johns Trophy

1 November 2022

Ronan Curtis scores for Pompey against AFC Wimbledon at Fratton Park in the Papa Johns Trophy — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

Pompey progressed to the Papa Johns Trophy knockout stages, despite being held to a draw by AFC Wimbledon at Fratton Park.

They knew beforehand that one point would be enough to go through, but were on course for top spot when Ronan Curtis fired them ahead.

Ultimately, though, they had to settle for the runners-up position in Southern Group B, with Ayoub Assal levelling for the Dons after the break.

The resulting penalty shoot-out decided nothing, but Josh Oluwayemi made three saves to ensure it was the Blues who claimed a bonus point.

Danny Cowley made seven changes from the side that drew with Shrewsbury in the league at the weekend.

Zak Swanson, Owen Dale, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Dane Scarlett were the only players to keep their spot in the starting line-up.

Oluwayemi returned between the sticks, while Denver Hume, Kieron Freeman and Michael Morrison all entered the defence, the latter wearing the captain’s armband.

There were outings for Joe Morrell and Curtis in midfield, with Joe Pigott given a chance to impress up front.

Academy players Josh Dockerill and Malachi Osei-Owusu were both named on the bench and joined by Harry Jewitt-White following his loan spell with Gosport.

The first half was an open affair, played in strong winds and driving rain that made life difficult for both sides at times.

It was the hosts who were first to threaten and the towering Kyle Hudlin – Britain’s tallest outfield player – was well placed to nod clear when Dale’s corner was flicked towards goal by Pigott.

The danger was not over for the visitors, though, and Scarlett’s effort was scrambled behind in a packed area.

Assal then whipped in a cross at the other end that was caught by the wind and drifted narrowly over the bar.

But it was the Blues who broke the deadlock on 15 minutes after Kwaku Frimpong had made a mess of dealing with Swanson’s cross.

Scarlett’s shot was saved by Nathan Broome, but the ball landed kindly for CURTIS, who took a couple of touches before slotting home.

The tempo began to slow after that, but picked up again towards the end of the half, with both sides creating openings.

Oluwayemi had to get down quickly to his left to deal with Huseyin Biler’s long-range effort, while Broome then stuck out a leg to divert Tunnicliffe’s effort wide.

A couple of dangerous Hume deliveries also caused difficulties for the Dons, but they saw out the closing stages to go in for the break with just a one-goal deficit.

Half Time: Pompey 1 AFC Wimbledon 0

There were a couple of changes at the break, with Morrell and Swanson replaced by Jay Mingi and Connor Ogilvie.

But Pompey soon found their lead wiped out after Freeman misjudged a long Broome clearance, allowing Assal to collect the ball and bend home a neat finish.

Freeman made up for that moments later, though, by clearing Isaac Ogundere’s effort off the line after the Dons skipper had met Alfie Bendle’s corner.

A triple substitution followed for the hosts on the hour mark, with Josh Koroma, Reeco Hackett and teenage debutant Dockerill brought on for Curtis, Tunnicliffe and Morrison.

Pompey were trying to fight back, but Scarlett could only nod wide from a Dale delivery, while Hackett sent a shot over.

The game was getting stretched as the hosts looked to get forward and their opponents tried to catch them on the break.

But there was no late drama and the final whistle confirmed that the Blues had secured second spot in their group.

A shoot-out was still required to decide the destination of a bonus point, however, and Oluwayemi took centre stage.

He kept out penalties from Frimpong, Courtney Senior and Aron Sasu, while Koroma, Hackett and Scarlett all scored to end the evening on a high.

Pompey (4-4-2): Oluwayemi; Swanson (Ogilvie 46), Morrison (c) (Dockerill 60), Freeman, Hume; Dale, Tunnicliffe (Hackett 60), Morrell (Mingi 46), Curtis (Koroma 60); Scarlett, Pigott
Goals: Curtis 15
Booked: Hume
Subs not used: Osei-Owusu, Jewitt-White

AFC Wimbledon (4-4-2): Broome; Frimpong, Jenkins (Towler 81), Ogundere (c), Biler; Senior, Bendle, Maghoma (Woodyard 73), Assal (Currie 73); Bartley (Sasu 81), Hudlin
Goals: Assal 50
Booked: Biler, Bendle
Subs not used: Tzanev, Williams, Davison

Referee: Craig Hicks

Attendance: 2,545 (124 away fans)