Match Preview: Pompey v Port Vale

All you need to know about League One test

6 October 2023

After a September full of points, Pompey left it late to ensure that October started with victory over Wycombe earlier in the week.

Now they will be looking for a similar result – preferably in a more comfortable fashion – when Port Vale visit Fratton Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Their opponents endured a miserable second half to last season to ultimately finish just three places above the drop zone.

That saw boss Darrell Clarke lose his job, with interim replacement Andy Crosby handed the reins on a permanent basis over the summer.

Fears that poor form would seep into the current campaign proved correct when his side were thrashed 7-0 at Barnsley on the opening day.

But the Valiants quickly brushed off that humbling, losing just one of the next eight games to get fans instead dreaming of a promotion push.

They have stuttered slightly over the past week, though, and head south on the back of consecutive defeats to Bolton and Bristol Rovers.

Attention might also be diverted by a run in the Carabao Cup, as a win at fourth tier Mansfield at the end of the month would see Port Vale progress to the quarter-finals.

Pompey fought from two goals down and a missed penalty in this fixture last term, with Colby Bishop and Michael Jacobs scoring to earn a draw.

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

Regan Poole and Alex Robertson also miss out for Pompey, with both collecting a fifth booking of the season on Tuesday to earn a one-match ban.

There are also doubts over the fitness of Connor Ogilvie (groin), but Kusini Yengi is available again after recovering from an ankle problem.

Port Vale will be without defender Jesse Debrah following his red card at Bristol Rovers earlier in the week.

Striker Ryan Loft is missing with a calf problem, but the club have brought in free agent Uche Ikpeazu to boost their attacking options.

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

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 19 wins
Port Vale: 9 wins
9 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 10 wins
Port Vale: 3 wins
6 draws

TICKETS
There are no more seats left in the home areas, but keep checking to see if any 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: Robert Madley
Assistants: Blake Antrobus and Hristo Karaivanov
Fourth Official: Stephen Parkinson

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
Games kick-off at 3pm unless stated

Saturday
Oxford v Bristol Rovers (12.30pm)
Bolton v Carlisle
Charlton v Blackpool
Cheltenham v Derby
Exeter v Barnsley
Fleetwood v Wycombe
Leyton Orient v Reading
Peterborough v Lincoln
Shrewsbury v Northampton
Stevenage v Wigan

Monday
Burton v Cambridge (8pm)

LAST MEETING

Match Previews

Match Reports

Pompey 2 Port Vale 0

Bishop brace keeps Blues top

7 October 2023

Colby Bishop celebrates scoring for Pompey against Port Vale at Fratton Park — Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images

Colby Bishop bagged a brace as Pompey beat Port Vale at Fratton Park to remain top of the League One table.

They were not at their best before the break, but totally dominant after it, with Colby Bishop’s close-range finish opening the scoring.

And the prolific striker made sure of the points moments later, converting a penalty following a handball in the box.

John Mousinho made three changes from the side that dramatically beat Wycombe earlier in the week.

With Regan Poole and Alex Robertson both suspended, in came Sean Raggett and Ben Stevenson – the latter making his first league outing.

The other switch saw Christian Saydee return to the forward line, with Tino Anjorin dropping to the bench, where he was joined by a fit-again Kusini Yengi.

It was a breathless start to proceedings, with the action quickly switching from one end to the other in the opening stages.

And the visitors came close to taking the lead when Ben Garrity laid the ball off for Funso Ojo, who drilled a shot against the base of the post.

Jack Sparkes then tried to bend a free-kick inside the near post of Connor Ripley, but his effort flashed wide.

The full-back also swung in an excellent cross towards the back post, where an unmarked Paddy Lane could only nod wide.

There was soon a chance for the Valiants on 17 minutes after Pompey had failed to clear their lines, but James Plant fired wastefully into the side netting.

The rest of half was mostly a laboured affair, however, with the hosts struggling to find any kind of fluidity and not being able to advance into the final third.

Not that there was too much happening at the opposite end either, as the game became bogged down in midfield.

And with that attacking spark lacking, there was a sense of relief all round when the sides were able to regroup during the interval.

Half Time: Pompey 0 Port Vale 0

The Fratton faithful were searching for a response following the interval and Bishop had an early shot blocked.

And it was the Blues’ leading scorer who did break the deadlock on 53 minutes, much to the delight of most inside the ground.

Ripley could only get the slightest hand to a Sparkes cross and Joe Rafferty drilled the ball back into the mixer for BISHOP to turn home.

It soon got even better for the hosts, with Kofi Balmer falling to the turf and sticking out an arm to block Abu Kamara’s shot.

Referee Robert Madley pointed to the spot and BISHOP stepped up to send Ripley the wrong way and double the advantage.

Pompey sensed they could dish out further punishment and Garrity was well placed to clear a thumping Raggett header from the line.

When everyone finally had a chance to draw breath, Mousinho made a change by replacing Lane with Gavin Whyte.

The chances kept coming and a Raggett header was brilliantly saved at point-blank range by Ripley after Joe Morrell had swung in a cross.

Another substitution followed for the home side on 79 minutes, with Kamara making way for Terry Devlin.

The Northern Irishman had a chance to add a late gloss to the scoreline, but could not keep his shot down after being teed-up by Bishop.

But the Blues had already done enough ensure they head into the international break sitting at the summit and there was further reason to cheer when Yengi was brought on for a cameo.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Sparkes; Morrell (c), Stevenson; Lane (Whyte 70), Saydee (Yengi 90+1), Kamara (Devlin 79); Bishop
Goals: Bishop 53, 58 (pen)
Booked: Lane
Subs not used: Schofield, Swanson, Towler, Anjorin

Port Vale (3-4-2-1): Ripley; Lowe, Balmer, Smith (c); Sang (Massey 75), Ojo (Wilson 62), Arblaster, Grant (Devine 33); Chislett (Thomas 62), Plant; Garrity
Booked: Arblaster, Balmer, Lowe
Subs not used: Leutwiler, Cass, Walters

Referee: Robert Madley

Attendance: 17,837 (618 away fans)