Match Preview: Pompey v Gillingham

All you need to know about EFL Trophy contest

10 October 2023

Pompey put their unbeaten league record to one side this evening, as attention turns to the EFL Trophy.

John Mousinho’s men welcome Gillingham to Fratton Park for their second fixture in Southern Group E.

They have two points on the board so far after drawing 3-3 with Fulham U21s in August and then collecting a penalty shoot-out bonus.

But it is their next opponents who currently occupy top after scoring two late goals to beat Leyton Orient at Priestfield.

The Kent outfit have Keith Millen in interim charge after making the shock decision to part company with Neil Harris last week.

He oversaw a 2-1 home win over MK Dons at the weekend, which leaves the Gills sitting third in League Two and just a couple of points off top spot.

Pompey triumphed 3-1 when these last met back in April 2022, with a Ronan Curtis brace and Clark Robertson header at Fratton Park sending the visitors towards the drop.

The only previous EFL Trophy clash came at the same venue in September 2018, when Matt Clarke, Ben Close, Brett Pitman and David Wheeler all netted in a 4-0 victory.

In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, both sides will collect a point. A penalty shoot-out will then be held, with the winners earning a bonus point.

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

Connor Ogilvie has returned to full training following a groin problem, but is unlikely to be risked in this game.

Pompey are also without Terry Devlin, Paddy Lane, Regan Poole and Alex Robertson, who are all away on international duty.

The visitors – whose director of football is former Blues boss Kenny Jackett – will be without ex-Fratton duo Oli Hawkins (heel) and Shaun Williams (knee)

Tim Dieng (knee), George Lapslie (hamstring) and Ashley Nadesan (ankle) are also set to miss out for Gillingham.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Kusini Yengi ahead of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 22 wins
Gillingham: 9 wins
10 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 13 wins
Gillingham: 2 wins
6 draws

TICKETS
Pompey fans can still secure seats in the South Stand and Fratton End, and are advised to buy online to avoid booking fees.

The Anson Road ticket office is also open, while the booth behind the Fratton End will be selling tickets this evening.

Season ticket holder seats were not reserved for this game. They will need a match ticket and cannot use their season card.

Please note that the Victory Bar will be closed this evening and that no programme has been produced for this fixture.

Those in the South Stand can take advantage of the family friendly kiosk, which is serving hot dogs, soft drinks – including juice cartons – share bags of sweets and gingerbread, as well as free fruit from Tesco.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Farai Hallam
Assistants: Garry Maskell and Daniel Flynn
Fourth Official: Carl Brook

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 EFL TROPHY
Games kick-off at 7pm unless stated

Blackpool v Liverpool U21
Carlisle v Nottingham Forest U21
Charlton v Aston Villa U21
Lincoln v Wolves U21
Mansfield v Doncaster
Morecambe v Barrow
Notts County v Derby
Reading v Swindon
Stevenage v Wycombe
Tranmere v Leicester U21
Walsall v Forest Green
Wigan v Fleetwood
Exeter v Arsenal U21 (7.15pm)
Cheltenham v Newport (7.30pm)
Crewe v Wrexham (7.30pm)
Grimsby v Bradford (7.30pm)
Salford v Stockport (7.30pm)
Harrogate v Accrington (7.45pm)
Port Vale v Newcastle U21 (7.45pm)
Sutton v Crawley (7.45pm)

LAST EFL TROPHY MEETING

Match Reports

Pompey 5 Gillingham 1

Blues cruise to EFL Trophy victory

10 October 2023

Tino Anjorin scores for Pompey against Gillingham at Fratton Park in EFL Trophy — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

Pompey stormed to the top of Southern Group E in the EFL Trophy by producing a blistering second half performance against Gillingham.

A neat finish from Tino Anjorin had given them the lead at Fratton Park, only for Jonny Williams to level just before the break.

But there was no stopping the rampant Blues after the interval and it was one-way traffic from the moment Ben Stevenson restored their advantage.

It was just a question of how many they would score, with Kusini Yengi, Abu Kamara and Ryley Towler all finding the target.

John Mousinho made six changes from the side that beat Port Vale to remain top of League One at the weekend.

A fit-again Yengi led the line after making a cameo appearance in that game, with Gavin Whyte joining him in the forward line.

There were also starts for Ryan Schofield between the sticks, Zak Swanson and Towler in defence, and Anjorin in the engine room.

Josh Oluwayemi and Harry Jewitt-White were allowed to feature on the bench despite currently being out on loan, with academy players Mitch Aston and Koby Mottoh also among the substitutes.

Pompey looked to take control after a slow start and came close to breaking the deadlock on 10 minutes.

Anjorin swapped passes with Kamara and bore down on goal, but could not lift the ball over Glenn Morris.

He did have his first goal for the Blues just a few seconds later, however, courtesy of an inventive finish.

A corner from Jack Sparkes ricocheted towards ANJORIN and he controlled the ball before finding the net with a close-range overhead kick.

But it was not a half full of clear-cut opportunities, with neither side able to find any rhythm going forward.

The visitors did have a chance to hit back, only for a fine sliding block from Swanson to deny Williams a simple finish from Tom Nichols’ centre.

Pompey might have strengthened their lead at the other end, with Towler meeting a deep Sparkes free-kick and drawing a save from Morris.

But Gillingham levelled just before the break, as Nichols beat two defenders in the box before squaring for Williams to slot home.

Half Time: Pompey 1 Gillingham 1

Anjorin did not return for the second half, with Joe Morrell brought on to replace him in the centre of midfield.

Pompey came charging out of the blocks following the restart and retook the lead within five minutes.

It was a fine finish from STEVENSON to open his account, curling the ball home from 25 yards after being teed-up by Whyte.

They almost extended the advantage moments later when Christian Saydee rolled the ball across to Yengi and he thundered a shot against the crossbar.

But YENGI did not have to wait long for a goal, rising highest to powerfully head in a Sparkes free-kick after Kamara had been upended on the left.

It started to calm down a bit after that breathless start and the Australian striker made way for Conor Shaughnessy just past the hour mark.

Swanson and Whyte sent shots off target as the Blues continued to hunt for more goals to put the result beyond doubt.

But it was KAMARA who grabbed the fourth on 72 minutes, receiving a pass from Swanson and curling a fine finish past Morris from the edge of the box.

And it almost got even better, with Morris making a stunning save to stop Sparkes finding the top corner from the left side of the box.

It was only a brief respite for the beleaguered visitors, however, and when Shaughnessy nodded a Sparkes corner towards goal, TOWLER turned the ball home from close range.

That was the cue to bring on forward Mottoh and midfielder Aston, with the latter making his senior debut.

Pompey kept attacking as the minutes ticked away and Gillingham appeared simply relieved to get to the end without any further damage being inflicted.

And they were even denied a consolation when Schofield saved Jayden Clarke's effort in stoppage-time

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Schofield; Swanson, Raggett (c), Towler, Sparkes (Mottoh 81); Anjorin (Morrell 46), Stevenson; Whyte, Saydee (Aston 81), Kamara; Yengi (Shaughnessy 63)
Goals: Anjorin 11, Stevenson 50, Yengi 54, Kamara 72, Towler 80
Booked: Towler
Subs not used: Oluwayemi, Rafferty, Jewitt-White

Gillingham (4-2-3-1): Morris; Orji, Ehmer, Ogie (Masterson 46), Malone (c) (Giles 81); Jefferies (Chambers 85), Clark (Skipper 85); Clarke, Williams, Macarthur; Nichols (Sithole 61)
Goals: Williams 45
Booked: Jefferies, Ogie, Orji
Subs not used: Turner, Gale

Referee: Farai Hallam

Attendance: 5,066 (181 away fans)

Ticket News

Gillingham Tickets Available In Fratton End

Secure your seat for tonight's EFL Trophy match

10 October 2023

Tickets have been selling well for tonight’s EFL Trophy group stage fixture against Gillingham at Fratton Park (7.45pm kick-off).

With limited seats remaining in the South Stand, a decision has been taken to also open a small section of the Fratton End.

Please note that only the south side of the Fratton End will be used, with supporters able to enter through turnstiles 37-40.

Supporters who have already purchased tickets in the South Stand will not be able to transfer into the Fratton End. All fans in both stands will need to sit in their allocated seat.

The quickest and easiest way to secure your place is by using our eticketing site, which also avoids booking fees.

Fans can also visit the Anson Road ticket office, while the booth behind the Fratton End is also open this evening.