Match Preview: Chesterfield v Pompey

All you need to know about Emirates FA Cup tie

3 November 2023

There will be plenty of familiar faces on show when Pompey make the trip to Chesterfield for an Emirates FA Cup first round tie on Sunday (12.15pm kick-off).

The home side are managed by Paul Cook, who memorably guided the Blues to the League Two title on the final day of the 2016/17 campaign.

Part of that squad was Gary Roberts, who is on his coaching team, while former Fratton midfielders Michael Jacobs and Tom Naylor are now plying their trade at the SMH Group Stadium.

They have all helped the Spireites climb to the National League summit – two points ahead of Barnet with a game in hand.

Cook is in his second spell in charge, having previously taken them from the fourth tier to the third, where they reached the play-offs prior to his departure to Pompey.

But after leaving Derbyshire, they tumbled down the divisions and are now playing non-league football for a sixth successive season.

Chesterfield almost escaped last term, but Notts County twice fought from behind before eventually triumphing on penalties in the play-off final at Wembley.

The Spireites enjoyed a 5-0 rout of Kettering last month to reach the first round proper of this competition.

Pompey have won both previous FA Cup meetings between the sides – an intermediate stage tie in 1905 and third round contest in 1969.

TEAM NEWS
Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom Lowery (knee), Connor Ogilvie (ankle), Marlon Pack (ankle) and Anthony Scully (knee) are sidelined.

Pompey’s loan trio of Tino Anjorin, Abu Kamara and Alex Robertson have all been given permission to play.

Jacobs and Naylor are both expected to be involved for Chesterfield against their former club, but Joe Quigley (ankle) and Tyrone Williams (thigh) are injured.

SECOND ROUND DRAW
Pompey or Chesterfield will be ball number three in Sunday’s draw, which is shown live on ITV1 from 2.30pm.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Joe Morrell ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 8 wins
Chesterfield: 5 wins
3 draws

On the road
Pompey: 2 wins
Chesterfield: 2 wins
2 draws

TICKETS
Pompey fans can now only purchase online tickets direct from Chesterfield and they will not be sold on the day of the game.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Will Finnie
Assistants: Alistair Nelson and Abbas Khan
Fourth Official: Adam Herczeg

MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters in the UK can watch the match live on ITV1, UTV, STV and ITVX, with coverage starting at 11.30am.

It will be shown on ESPN+ in the USA and overseas fans can click here for a list of The FA’s global broadcast partners.

All 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 11am.

Please note that the game will not be shown live on iFollow, either in the UK or for supporters who are based abroad.

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.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM.

ALSO IN EMIRATES FA CUP
Games kick-off at 3pm unless stated

Friday
Barnsley v Horsham (7.45pm)
Sheppey v Walsall (7.45pm)

Saturday
Northampton v Barrow (1.30pm)
AFC Wimbledon v Cheltenham
Alfreton v Worthing
Bolton v Solihull Moors
Bradford v Wycombe
Bristol Rovers v Whitby
Cambridge v Bracknell
Chesham v Maidstone
Chester v York
Curzon Ashton v Barnet
Doncaster v Accrington
Eastleigh v Boreham Wood
Exeter v Wigan
Hereford v Gillingham
Leyton Orient v Carlisle
Lincoln v Morecambe
Marine v Harrogate
Newport v Oldham
Notts County v Crawley
Oxford v Maidenhead
Peterborough v Salford
Port Vale v Burton
Ramsgate v Woking
Reading v MK Dons
Scarborough v Forest Green
Shrewsbury v Colchester
Stevenage v Tranmere
Stockport v Worksop
Sutton v AFC Fylde
Swindon v Aldershot
Yeovil v Gateshead
Bromley v Blackpool (5.45pm)
Mansfield v Wrexham (7.45pm)

Sunday
Kidderminster v Fleetwood (2pm)
Slough v Grimsby (2pm)
Crewe v Derby (2.45pm)
Charlton v Cray Valley (5.30pm)

LAST MEETING

Match Reports

Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

Blues fall at first hurdle in Emirates FA Cup

5 November 2023

Colby Bishop in FA Cup action for Pompey at Chesterfield — Photo: Simon Davies/Pro Sports Images

Pompey were victims of an Emirates FA Cup upset after losing to National League leaders Chesterfield in the first round.

Former Fratton skipper Tom Naylor headed home the only goal of the game in the first half at the SMH Group Stadium.

The visitors had plenty of possession throughout the afternoon, but rarely troubled Harry Tyrer between the sticks.

John Mousinho stuck with the same side that fought from behind to win in the league at Reading the previous weekend.

There were a couple of familiar faces in the opposition line-up – managed by Paul Cook and coached by Gary Roberts – with Naylor and Michael Jacobs starting.

Both sides were looking to play the ball on the floor, but it was the higher ranked visitors who dominated possession in the first half.

And they had an early chance to break the deadlock, with Terry Devlin cutting the ball back for Paddy Lane to hit a shot that was deflected over.

Their opponents soon had an opportunity of their own after Will Grigg had nudged Regan Poole off the ball and squared for Ollie Banks to draw a save from Will Norris.

But the Pompey defender was left in clear pain on the ground, eventually limping off to be replaced by Sean Raggett.

Banks then had another attempt, this time curling the ball past the post after being teed-up by Jacobs.

There was plenty of neat, patient play at the other end of the pitch, although the Blues were struggling to make an impact in the final third.

One surge forward ended with Lane trying to angle the ball home and being denied by a smart Tyrer stop.

But it was the Spireites who did forge ahead on 32 minutes, as Naylor emphatically converted a Liam Mandeville free-kick.

Pompey tried to hit back before the break and there was an opening when Tino Anjorin swung the ball into the box and Colby Bishop’s downward header was kept out by Tyrer.

But Anjorin would not finish the half, becoming another injury victim and his place on the left was taken up by Gavin Whyte.

Half Time: Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

There was a third change for the visitors at the break, with Zak Swanson replacing Joe Rafferty at right-back.

Pompey immediately set about trying to attack their opponents, but the Spireites looked dangerous themselves.

There was one attempt from Jacobs that was deflected over and another by Banks that flew straight into the arms of Norris.

Things were still not quite clicking for the Blues and Mousinho responded with a couple of attacking switches.

Abu Kamara and Kusini Yengi were brought on with an hour played, as Jack Sparkes and Devlin made way.

It was Chesterfield still looking the more likely side to score again, though, and they might have done if Armando Dobra had not slipped when in a great shooting position inside the box.

Pompey kept plugging away and Lane’s cross found Kamara in space on 67 minutes, but the stooping substitute could only nod wide.

They were still lacking rhythm, however, and when Conor Shaughnessy lost possession, Ryan Colclough probably should have done better than fire into the side netting.

And Chesterfield saw out the closing stages in relatively comfortable fashion to book their spot in round two.

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1): Tyrer; Mandeville (Sheckleford 81), Palmer, Grimes (c), Horton (Freckleton 71); Naylor, Oldaker (Berry 81); Jacobs, Banks (Colclough 64), Dobra (Jones 71); Grigg
Goals: Naylor 32
Booked: Naylor, Jones, Palmer
Subs not used: Boot, King, Cook, Curtis

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Norris; Rafferty (Swanson 46), Poole (Raggett 11), Shaughnessy, Sparkes (Kamara 60); Robertson, Morrell (c); Lane, Devlin (Yengi 60), Anjorin (Whyte 44); Bishop
Booked: Rafferty, Kamara
Subs not used: Schofield, Towler, Stevenson, Saydee

Referee: Will Finnie

Attendance: 8,377 (1,566 Pompey fans)

PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB

Standings

Match Preview: Chesterfield v Pompey

Inside Pompey: Chesterfield (A)

Highlights: Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

Gallery: Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

Morrell: We Fell Below Our Standards

Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

Inside Pompey: Chesterfield (A)

Highlights: Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

Gallery: Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

Morrell: We Fell Below Our Standards

Standings

Fixture News

Inside Pompey: Chesterfield (A)

Highlights: Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

Gallery: Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

Morrell: We Fell Below Our Standards

Fixture News

Inside Pompey: Chesterfield (A)

Highlights: Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

Gallery: Chesterfield 1 Pompey 0

Morrell: We Fell Below Our Standards

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