Match Preview: Pompey v Shrewsbury

All you need to know about League One contest

5 April 2024

Pompey can take another step closer to securing League One promotion when they host Shrewsbury on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

With Derby not in action again until Wednesday, John Mousinho’s men know that victory would increase their lead at the top of the table to eight points.

Their next opponents will be keen to spoil the party, however, and still have plenty to play for themselves.

The Shrews sit 17th in the standings and are seven points clear of the drop zone with five games left to play.

Paul Hurst is the men tasked with preserving their third tier status for a 10th successive campaign, having almost led them into the Championship during a previous spell in charge.

He returned to the club back in January following the dismissal of former Pompey promotion hero Matt Taylor.

The Shropshire side have struggled for consistency, but do head to the south coast on a three-match unbeaten run, with victory over Carlisle followed by draws with Oxford and Bristol Rovers over Easter.

Pompey eased to a 3-0 victory when the sides met before Christmas, courtesy of Abu Kamara’s brace and a Marlon Pack finish.

Last season’s Fratton contest ended all square, as Zak Swanson quickly cancelled out Elliott Bennett’s opener.

TEAM NEWS
Callum Lang (ankle) and Tom Lowery (hamstring) are closing in on a return, but Saturday’s game comes too soon for the pair.

Terry Devlin (shoulder), Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom McIntyre (ankle), Joe Morrell (knee), Regan Poole (knee), Anthony Scully (ankle) and Alex Robertson (hamstring) are all still out.

George Nurse (knee) and Aaron Pierre (groin) are both missing for the visitors, while Jack Price is a doubt with muscle soreness.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Tino Anjorin ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 18 wins
Shrewsbury: 10 wins
6 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 12 wins
Shrewsbury: 2 wins
3 draws

OFFICIALS
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Assistants: Alan Clayton and Andy Bennett
Fourth Official: Daniel Flynn

TICKETS
Seats have sold out, but the ticket exchange remains open until 10am on Saturday, so keep checking to see if any seats become available.

If you are coming to the game, click here to find out what is happening around the ground ahead of kick-off.

MATCH COVERAGE
Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Tom Murray 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 four-camera coverage, replays and 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 key updates throughout the game on Twitter and a detailed blog via the match centre.

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
All games kick-off at 3pm

Blackpool v Cambridge
Bristol Rovers v Bolton
Burton v Oxford
Charlton v Barnsley
Exeter v Stevenage
Leyton Orient v Cheltenham
Northampton v Carlisle
Reading v Lincoln
Wigan v Port Vale

LAST MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Pompey 3 Shrewsbury 1

Bishop brace helps Blues secure another win

6 April 2024

Colby Bishop scores a penalty for Pompey against Shrewsbury Town at Fratton Park — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

Colby Bishop bagged a brace to reach 20 strikes for the season, as Pompey beat Shrewsbury 3-1 to move a step closer to promotion.

It was not their most convincing display at Fratton Park, with an early Chey Dunkley own-goal cancelled out by Jordan Shipley.

But Bishop restored the lead from the penalty spot just before the break and added another in the second half to settle any nerves.

John Mousinho made three changes from the side that drew with promotion rivals Derby earlier in the week.

Kusini Yengi came in to lead the line, while there were also starts for Zak Swanson and Tuesday night's goal hero Owen Moxon.

Christian Saydee, Joe Rafferty and Lee Evans were the men to make way, with the trio dropping to the bench.

The hosts were forced to shoot towards the Fratton End in the first half, but it did not prevent them making a blistering start.

A throw from Marlon Pack found Conor Shaughnessy and the defender’s cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by DUNKLEY.

Pompey kept pushing on in search of more goals and Marko Maroši got down to stop Paddy Lane’s effort sneaking inside his near post.

But the game started to fall flat after that quick start and the home side were guilty of some sloppy play.

There were still some bright attacking moments, only for them to break down once the ball entered the final third.

And the visitors capitalised to level on 29 minutes, as Dan Udoh’s delivery was laid off by Taylor Perry for Shipley to stoke home.

It did not force an immediate response from the Blues and they continued to labour in search of some rhythm.

There was a dangerous free-kick whipped into the box by Pack, but it somehow flew between all the blue-shirted players in the box and out of play.

With the interval approaching, however, Pompey were gifted an excellent opportunity to restore their advantage.

Yengi managed to collect Abu Kamara’s cut-back and drew a lazy trip in the box from Carl Winchester, with referee Charles Breakspear pointing straight to the spot.

It was leading marksman BISHOP who stepped up to take the penalty, sending Maroši the wrong way to send the Blues in ahead at the break.

Half Time: Pompey 2 Shrewsbury 1

The visitors almost hit back straight after the restart, but a leaping Tom Flanagan nodded the ball wide from Elliott Bennett’s free-kick.

A back-pass from Pack was then left by both Will Norris and Shaughnessy, with Udoh looking to capitalise.

The forward raced to collect the ball and drove into the box, but the keeper recovered brilliantly to deny him.

Pompey began to regain control, but they were still looking a long way from the flowing best that had taken the side to the League One summit.

Lane did burst past Flanagan and into the area on the hour mark, but his shot was blocked by Mal Benning.

A double substitution soon followed for the home side, as Kamara and Yengi made way for Gavin Whyte and Saydee.

The latter player was soon looking to surge forward and advantage was played when he was bundled over and the ball ran for Bishop, whose shot tested the handling of Maroši.

And it was Saydee who grabbed the assist for Pompey to extend their lead on 77 minutes after Swanson’s deep ball had been nodded away by Morgan Feeney.

The forward lifted a lovely deft pass over the defence for BISHOP to sweep home before racing away to celebrate.

There was a sensible double change soon after, as Evans and Rafferty came on for Moxon and Swanson, who were both on a booking.

And the Blues saw out the closing stages in comfortable fashion, ensuring that victory at Bolton next Saturday would be enough to reach the Championship.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Norris; Swanson (Rafferty 83), Raggett, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie; Moxon (Evans 83), Pack (c); Kamara (Whyte 62), Bishop, Lane (Sparkes 90); Yengi (Saydee 62)
Goals: Dunkley 3 (og), Bishop 42 (pen), 77
Booked: Swanson, Moxon
Subs not used: Macey, Peart-Harris

Shrewsbury (4-2-3-1): Maroši; Feeney, Dunkley (c), Flanagan, Benning; Bennett, Winchester; Perry (Idowu 89), Bayliss (Bloxham 77), Shipley (O’Brien 77); Udoh (Bowman 89)
Goals: Shipley 29
Booked: Benning, Bennett, Flanagan
Subs not used: Burgoyne, Sraha, Hinchy

Referee: Charles Breakspear

Attendance: 20,081 (380 away fans)