Match Preview: Cambridge v Pompey

All you need to know about League One contest

24 October 2023

Pompey will look to stretch their winning run to eight matches when they visit Cambridge this evening (7.45pm kick-off).

But while confidence is currently soaring in the Fratton camp, it is a different story at the Abbey Stadium.

United have not emerged victorious any of their past seven League One matches – chuck in a couple of EFL Trophy defeats and the sequence extends to nine.

Since narrowly beating struggling Reading on home soil in front of the Sky Sports cameras at the start of September, just two points have been collected.

A fine early strike from Liam Sercombe meant that Mark Bonner’s men lost at previously winless Cheltenham on Saturday.

It leaves the side sitting in 18th position, albeit with a healthy seven point gap to the drop zone at this still early stage of the campaign.

Cambridge will want to avoid the drama of last season, when they overcame the odds to stay up by defeating Forest Green on the final day.

Pompey won both of the 2022/23 meetings between the sides, with a Colby Bishop header securing all three points at the Abbey Stadium in March.

TEAM NEWS
Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom Lowery (knee), Marlon Pack (ankle) and Anthony Scully (knee) all remain sidelined.

But winger Gavin Whyte should be available again after sitting out of Saturday’s game because of illness.

Cambridge trio Gassan Ahadme, Adam May and Michael Morrison are all expected to feature against their former club.

But Brandon Haunstrup is likely to miss out with a hamstring problem, while Harrison Dunk (knee) and Elias Kachunga (hamstring) are also missing.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Jack Sparkes ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 16 wins
Cambridge: 3 wins
4 draws

On the road
Pompey: 7 wins
Cambridge: 2 wins
3 draws

TICKETS
Pompey have sold their full allocation for the game, so please do not travel if you do not already have a ticket.

Supporters who are attending the game can click here to read a guide to visiting the Abbey Stadium.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Declan Bourne
Assistants: Marc Wilson and Stuart Butler
Fourth Official: David Harrison

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 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 Wednesday.

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

ALSO IN LEAGUE ONE
Games kick-off at 7.45pm unless stated

Barnsley v Shrewsbury
Blackpool v Cheltenham
Bristol Rovers v Stevenage
Carlisle v Burton
Derby v Exeter
Lincoln v Charlton
Northampton v Leyton Orient
Port Vale v Peterborough
Wigan v Oxford
Wycombe v Bolton
Reading v Fleetwood (8pm)

LAST MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Cambridge 0 Pompey 0

Kamara hits woodwork, but Blues are held

24 October 2023

Abu Kamara in action for Pompey at Cambridge United — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

Pompey saw their winning run come to an end as they were held to a goalless League One draw at Cambridge.

The best chance they had to leave the Abbey Stadium with all three points was when Abu Kamara’s cross was deflected against the woodwork.

But the result ensured the table-topping Blues maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

John Mousinho made three changes from the side that dramatically beat Carlisle on home soil at the weekend.

He made switches in both full-back positions, with Joe Rafferty and Jack Sparkes making way for Zak Swanson and Connor Ogilvie.

Christian Saydee also returned to the forward line – playing just behind Colby Bishop – as Tino Anjorin dropped to the bench.

Former Pompey duo Michael Morrison and Gassan Ahadme started for the hosts, while Adam May was named among the substitutes and Brandon Haunstrup missed out through injury.

There was a minute’s applause before kick-off in memory of the great Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 86.

The visitors were forced into an early change when Ogilvie hobbled off the pitch to be replaced by Sparkes.

And their opponents were the first side to serious threaten, when Sullay Kaikai’s cross drifted towards the goal and had to be tipped over by former United keeper Will Norris.

It was, overall, a fairly even start to proceedings, though, with the game being played at a high tempo, but with some quality lacking in the final third.

Pompey had a couple of penalty appeals turned down by referee Declan Bourne, with Kamara and Swanson both denied.

They began to dominate possession as the first half progressed and were looking the more likely side to break the deadlock.

And that almost happened when Kamara’s delivery deflected off the foot of Liam Bennett and flew against the post.

The ball bounced back towards Bishop, who was denied another goal by a superb Ryan Bennett block.

Conor Shaughnessy then found himself in an unfamiliar position on the right wing and whipped in a fine cross that was just over the head of Bishop.

Pompey went close again just before the break after Jack Stevens failed to get a strong fist on Alex Robertson’s corner.

A scrambled ensured before Shaughnessy fired the ball towards goal, where it was deflected over the bar.

Half Time: Cambridge 0 Pompey 0

The visitors applied plenty of pressure when the action resumed, but a Joe Morrell effort was blocked, while Saydee could only help on a dangerous Sparkes delivery.

Swanson then beat his man on the right and cut into the box before angling in a shot that was saved by Stevens.

Mousinho was forced into another change just before the hour mark when Saydee went down for the second time in quick succession and was replaced by Anjorin.

Pompey were still working hard to find a breakthrough and a Swanson attempt was blocked after Cambridge failed to properly clear a corner.

Paddy Lane was next to try his luck, cutting side from the right and hitting a fierce strike not too far over the bar.

But Cambridge almost took the lead against the run of play on 73 minutes – although it would have been a controversial goal, with Morrell appearing to be fouled by James Brophy in the build-up.

Substitute Saikou Janneh sent a low ball towards Jack Lankester in the box, only for Norris to deny the midfielder at point-blank range.

It suddenly felt like the tide was beginning to turn, as United began to cause problems and the Blues looked a bit ragged.

And while the visitors were still trying to get forward, their opponents were dangerous on the break.

Kusini Yengi relaced Kamara to provide some fresh legs for the closing stages, but it was his fellow striker who had a chance to win the game in stoppage-time.

He was picked out by a Robertson corner at the back post, but his header was punched away by Stevens.

Cambridge (4-1-4-1): Stevens; L.Bennett, R.Bennett, Morrison (c), Andrew; Cousins; Brophy (Rossi 90+7), Digby, Lankester (Thomas 90), Kaikai (Janneh 69); Ahadme
Booked: Digby
Subs not used: Mannion, May, Gordon, Okenabirhie

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Norris; Swanson, Poole, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie (Sparkes 8); Robertson, Morrell (c); Lane, Saydee (Anjorin 58), Kamara (Yengi 90); Bishop
Booked: Kamara, Morrell, Sparkes, Shaughnessy
Subs not used: Schofield, Rafferty, Towler, Stevenson

Referee: Declan Bourne

Attendance: 6,627 (1,470 Pompey fans)