Match Preview: Forest Green v Pompey

All you need to know about League One contest

21 October 2022

Pompey make history on Saturday when they face Forest Green for the first time in a competitive fixture (3pm kick-off).

It is no surprise that they have never previously crossed paths, given that Rovers have spent much of their existence in the non-league game.

Based in the Gloucestershire town of Nailsworth, the world's first vegan club climbed into the EFL for the first time in 2017, then secured the League Two title at the end of last term.

Following that success, however, boss Rob Edwards left for a brief stint in charge of Watford and has been replaced by Ian Burchnall.

He will be trying to lead the Green Army out of the relegation zone, with the side having collected just 12 points so far – two fewer than local rivals Cheltenham.

Their goal difference of -17 is the worst in the division – not helped by a 5-0 thrashing at Sheffield Wednesday and 4-0 reverse to Exeter.

But Forest Green got some revenge by beating the latter club 4-1 on Tuesday evening to secure top spot in their Papa Johns Trophy group.

Pompey, meanwhile, are trying to end a four-match winless run that has seen them drop to fifth place in the standings.

TEAM NEWS
Marlon Pack serves a one-match ban after being sent off at Charlton and will miss his first league game of the season.

Pompey will have to check on the fitness of Michael Jacobs (hamstring), Tom Lowery (hamstring) and Joe Rafferty (stomach), but Jayden Reid (knee) and Louis Thompson (leg) are definitely missing.

Matty Stevens (knee) and Udoka Godwin-Malif (hamstring) are both currently sidelined for Forest Green.

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

HEAD TO HEAD
This will be the first competitive meeting between Pompey and Forest Green.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Will Finnie
Assistants: Thomas Harty and Adam Ricketts
Fourth Official: Jack Clench

TICKETS
Pompey have sold their full allocation of tickets for this fixture and no more will be available to visiting fans.

Supporters travelling to the ground should note that roadworks in Nailsworth might add more time to their journey. Click here for more information about this and parking.

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 hosts 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.

VBET are committed to endorsing safer gambling among its customers, as well as promoting the awareness of problem gambling and improving prevention, intervention and treatment. Click here to read about VBET’s responsible gambling policy.

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

Lincoln v Sheffield Wednesday (1pm)
Accrington v Bolton
Bristol Rovers v Plymouth
Burton v Cheltenham
Cambridge v Port Vale
Exeter v Fleetwood
MK Dons v Wycombe
Morecambe v Barnsley
Oxford v Peterborough
Shrewsbury v Charlton

Match Previews

Match Reports

Forest Green 0 Pompey 1

Raggett goal ensures Blues return to winning ways

22 October 2022

Sean Raggett celebrates scoring for Pompey at Forest Green Rovers — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

Sean Raggett was on target as Pompey returned to winning ways in their first ever meeting with Forest Green.

The defender headed home during a first half that was largely comfortable for the Blues at The New Lawn.

But their opponents put up more of a fight after the break and applied some pressure, without really troubling Josh Griffiths.

Danny Cowley made five changes from the side that were beaten at Charlton on Monday evening.

Zak Swanson and Jay Mingi were both handed their first league starts, while there were returns for Ryan Tunnicliffe, Ronan Curtis and Joe Pigott.

Michael Morrison, Joe Morrell, Josh Koroma and Dane Scarlett all dropped to the bench, while Marlon Pack served his one-match ban.

Former Blues keeper Luke McGee was between the sticks for the hosts, who have title-winning skipper Michael Doyle serving as assistant head coach.

The visitors quickly took control of the contest, with the excellent Mingi running the show in the middle of the pitch.

And the deadlock was almost broken on nine minutes, when he combined with Curtis to find Colby Bishop in the box.

The striker’s shot was diverted against the crossbar by McGee and Pigott could not head on target from the resulting corner.

But the Blues did go ahead soon after, with Owen Dale delivering a free-kick from wide on the left and RAGGETT making sure he got there first to head home.

Despite not being put under too much pressure, Pompey were struggling to force McGee into more action.

A Dale free-kick was claimed underneath the bar by the keeper, while a couple of dangerous Curtis cross were intercepted.

Then, after a deep Tunnicliffe cross had caused a scramble inside the area, Pigott rolled a shot past the post.

Griffiths was having a quiet afternoon at the other end and was certainly not troubled by an Armani Little effort that flew high over the bar.

It was Pompey who had the final say just before the interval, with Curtis curling a shot wide after more good work from the impressive Mingi.

Half Time: Forest Green 0 Pompey 1

Rovers were quicker out of the blocks when the action restarted, but still could not find their shooting boots.

One passage of passing play ended with Myles Peart-Harris hitting the roof of the stand, while another led to Harry Boyes’ cross being claimed by Griffiths.

Pompey had not really got going and Cowley freshened things up just before the hour mark by bringing on Scarlett for Pigott.

Their opponents then threatened an equaliser when Corey O’Keeffe’s cross drifted towards the net and had to be palmed away by Griffiths.

Two more changes quickly followed for the visitors, as Koroma and Reeco Hackett replaced Dale and Curtis out wide.

Forest Green were still looking dangerous, though, and after some sustained pressure, Little flashed a shot wide.

Hackett was looking lively following his introduction and swapped passes with Tunnicliffe before finding Koroma, who spun and fired narrowly off target.

And Hackett had a chance of his own on 78 minutes, cutting in from the right and hitting a left-foot curler that had to be beaten away by McGee.

The points should have been wrapped up moments later, but Scarlett nodded wide from close range after Swanson had sent in a fine cross.

Mingi’s afternoon then came to an end, with the midfielder appearing to cramp up and limping off to be replaced by Morrison.

Six minutes of added time saw some nerves among the travelling fans, although they almost vanished when Scarlett’s neat touch provided an opening.

But both he and Bishop seemed to go for the shot at the same time and McGee kept it out with his leg.

McGee sensed he could be the hero by going up for a Forest Green corner right at the death, but Pompey dealt with it and the final whistle immediately followed.

Forest Green (3-4-1-2): McGee; Bunker, Marques, Cargill (c); O’Keeffe, Hendry (March 62), Stevenson, Boyes (Fiabema 87); Peart-Harris; Little (McAllister 74), Wickham (Matt 74)
Booked: Hendry, Little, Cargill
Subs not used: Thomas, Casey, Bernard

Pompey (4-4-2): Griffiths; Swanson, Raggett, Robertson (c), Ogilvie; Dale (Hackett 62), Tunnicliffe, Mingi (Morrison 81), Curtis (Koroma 62); Pigott (Scarlett 58), Bishop
Goals: Raggett 17
Booked: Tunnicliffe, Scarlett
Subs not used: Oluwayemi, Hume, Morrell

Referee: Will Finnie

Attendance: 4,011 (1,195 Pompey fans)