Match Preview: Pompey v Carlisle

All you need to know about League One contest

20 October 2023

The international break came and went without affecting Pompey’s position at the top of the League One table.

And with a full programme of fixtures on Saturday, they will want to ensure it stays that way by beating Carlisle at Fratton Park (3pm kick-off).

The visitors were promoted from the fourth tier via the play-offs last term, seeing off Bradford over two legs before beating Stockport on penalties at Wembley.

They have found it tougher at a higher level, though, and currently sit just one place above the drop zone.

Unlike their opponents, Paul Simpson’s men were in action last weekend, losing 1-0 to Leyton Orient on home soil.

United can take confidence from their most recent match on the road, however, when Jordan Gibson’s treble secured a 3-1 victory at Bolton.

That was just a second three-point haul of the season for the Cumbrians, following a 2-0 success against Shrewsbury last month.

The most recent contest between the sides was in February 2017 and saw Pompey triumph 3-0 at Brunton Park en route to securing the League Two title.

They clashed at Fratton Park on the opening day of that campaign, with Carl Baker finding the target in a 1-1 draw.

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

But Connor Ogilvie has recovered from a groin problem, while Regan Poole and Alex Robertson have both served their one-match bans.

Taylor Charters (hamstring), Jack Ellis (groin), Paul Huntington (calf) and Josh Kayode (shoulder) are all missing for Carlisle, who also have fitness doubts over Dylan McGeouch.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Abu Kamara ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 17 wins
Carlisle: 13 wins
11 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 13 wins
Carlisle: 3 wins
4 draws

TICKETS
Seats in the home sections have almost completely sold out, but keep checking to see if more become available via the ticket exchange.

If you are heading to the game, then read our matchday guide to find out what is happening around the ground.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Leigh Doughty
Assistants: George Byrne and Carl Fitch-Jackson
Fourth Official: Gary Parsons

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 four-camera coverage 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

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

CLASSIC CONTEST

Match Previews

Match Reports

Pompey 1 Carlisle 0

Shaughnessy head home stoppage-time winner

21 October 2023

Conor Shaughnessy celebrates scoring for Pompey against Carlisle United at Fratton Park — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

Conor Shaughnessy grabbed a stoppage-time winner to ensure Pompey maintained their spot at the League One summit.

The centre-back repeated his Wycombe heroics from earlier in the month by converting a Jack Sparkes corner.

They had dominated much of the contest, but it looked as though the hosts would pay for their profligacy until Shaughnessy’s last-gasp intervention.

John Mousinho made three changes from the side that beat Port Vale in the last league game before the international break.

Regan Poole and Alex Robertson both returned from suspension, while there was also a start for Tino Anjorin, as Sean Raggett, Ben Stevenson and Christian Saydee all dropped to the bench.

A period of silence took place before kick-off to remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine.

Pompey dominated possession throughout the first half and created a number of chances to break the deadlock.

The first fell for Robertson, whose fierce effort towards the top corner was claimed by Tomáš Holý following good work from Abu Kamara and Anjorin.

Shaughnessy then slipped a fine pass through to Sparkes and although he could not get a shot away, the full-back eventually swung in a fine cross.

It was met by Colby Bishop in the box and a glancing header from the prolific striker was saved by Holý.

He soon met another dangerous delivery, this time from Anjorin, and nodded narrowly over the bar.

Carlisle had not threatened too much at the other end, but they had a decent opportunity when Jack Armer found Alfie McCalmont in the area.

The midfielder drilled the ball towards the target and it ricocheted off Shaughnessy and into the arms of Will Norris.

Pompey were still looking the more likely side to open the scoring and Paddy Lane scuffed a good chance straight at Holý after collecting Anjorin’s glorious pass.

Then, with the rain starting to fall, Bishop turned a Sparkes cross wide, as the home side continued to knock at the door.

And the striker could not get a shot away from a few yards out after a tackle on Lane saw the ball bounce into his path.

Half Time: Pompey 0 Carlisle 0

The Blues were caught napping straight from the restart and were left feeling relieved not to fall behind.

McCalmont received the ball in acres of space inside the box and rolled a low shot against the base of the post.

An Owen Moxon corner then caused more problems moments later, but skipper Sam Lavelle could only prod straight at Norris.

Mousinho looked to freshen things up with a change just before the hour mark, as Anjorin made way for Saydee.

The hosts were starting to find a bit more rhythm again and Holý got down low to his left to deal with a long-range Lane effort.

It was beginning to reflect the first half, with Pompey dominating possession and looking to apply pressure.

Holý got down to his right to deal with a 30-yard Sparkes free-kick after the lively Joe Morrell had been bundled to the turf.

Another substitution followed for the hosts on 77 minutes, with Lane being replaced by Australian striker Kusini Yengi.

But it was the Cumbrians who almost grabbed a late goal, with Norris making a superb save to turn Dan Butterworth’s shot around the post.

Instead it was the Blues who made the most of the stoppage-time drama after Holý had tipped Bishop’s header over the bar.

The corner was whipped into the box by Sparkes and SHAUGHNESSY got to the ball first to head it home and keep Pompey top of the table.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Norris; Rafferty, Poole, Shaughnessy, Sparkes; Robertson (Raggett 90+5), Morrell (c); Lane (Yengi 77), Anjorin (Saydee 58), Kamara; Bishop
Goals: Shaughnessy 90+3
Booked: Rafferty
Subs not used: Schofield, Ogilvie, Stevenson, Devlin

Carlisle (4-1-4-1): Holý; Back, Lavelle (c), Mellish, Armer; Guy (Robinson 84); Maguire, McCalmont (Butterworth 69), Moxon, Gibson; Garner (Plange 78)
Booked: McCalmont, Guy, Garner
Subs not used: Breeze, Barclay, Ablade, Edmondson

Referee: Leigh Doughty

Attendance: 17,911 (676 away fans)