Match Preview: Fleetwood Town v Portsmouth

21 February 2020

Fleetwood Town welcome Portsmouth to Highbury Stadium on Saturday 22 February, and we have all you need to know ahead of kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Portsmouth

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 22 February 2020

Kick-off: 15:00

Venue: Highbury Stadium, Park Avenue, Fleetwood, FY7 6TX.

Match officials: Matthew Donohue (Referee), Nik Barnard and James Wilson (Assistants) Mark Cunliffe (Fourth Official)

Saturday’s match between Fleetwood and Doncaster will be Mr. Joyce’s first visit to Highbury this season. He did referee Town’s Emirates FA Cup Second Round tie against Crawley, which saw Joey Barton’s side win 2-1.

Donohue has officiated 25 games this season in all competitions, and branched out 101 yellow cards and four red cards.

Matthew Donohue Referee.jpg

FLEETWOOD TOWN

The Cod Army are back at Highbury after last weekend’s 2-1 victory over promotion hopefuls, Peterborough United. Callum Connolly scored in the 15^th minute to give Fleetwood the lead, with Dan Butler equalising for Posh with a thunderous strike ten minutes into the second half. Wes Burns scored what proved to be the winner in the 76^th minute, making it four wins on the bounce for Barton and his troops.

When you look back at the last six seasons since Fleetwood got promoted to League One, after 30 league matches played, it’s the best points tally collected since the 2016/17 campaign – where the club reached the play-offs.

There are no new injury concerns, with Town’s head coach looking to keep the seven game unbeaten run going against another side looking to push the teams above them.

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PORTSMOUTH

The visitors to Highbury Stadium on Saturday currently sit two places above Fleetwood in 6^th place, with their last league win being a 2-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town. Ellis Harrison – former Bristol Rovers forward – gave Pompey the lead after the hour mark, before John Marquis made sure of the points eight minutes from time.

Kenny Jackett’s side were in action on Tuesday night in the Leasing.com Trophy, and they left it late to secure a place at Wembley in the final. Five goals were scored with 12 minutes to go, with Pompey scoring two goals in added on time to beat Exeter City 3-2.

Marcus Harness, John Marquis and Cameron McGeehan scored for the League One side. They will now face Salford City at the home of football in April.

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ONE TO WATCH – JOHN MARQUIS

One for Town fans to keep an eye out for on Saturday afternoon is forward, John Marquis. The 27-year-old has played 40 matches in all competitions this season, scoring 13 goals in the process.

The former Doncaster Rovers man has scored 8 goals in his last 11 matches in all competition, a run that began when Fleetwood and Portsmouth last met in the FA Cup on January 4 2020, which saw Portsmouth progress to Round Four.

Since that cup clash between the two, Kenny Jackett’s side has won 11 of their last 12 matches, with the only loss coming in their narrow 1-0 defeat away at Coventry City.

Marquis has played a huge part on that run, and will be looking to maintain his scoring form against the Cod Army. It will be up to Town’s defender to stop Pompey’s main man on the day.

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WATCH THE GAME ON iFOLLOW

If you can’t make Saturday’s match against Portsmouth, don’t worry as we have it covered with iFollow – meaning you can live stream or just listen to full match commentary in the comfort of your own home.

Supporters based in the United Kingdom and Ireland can pay just £2.50 for an Audio Match Pass.

For fans based overseas, or for those who are on holiday abroad, they will be able to watch the match on iFollow for £5 – What are you waiting for? Buy your match pass HERE.

If you want to know more about iFollow, and find out ways to support the Cod Army, click HERE. (terms and conditions)

Any further questions on iFollow Fleetwood, please contact sam.fielding@fleetwoodtownfc.com.

PRE-MATCH WITH JOEY BARTON

Fleetwood Town head coach Joey Barton spoke to the media on Thursday at Poolfoot Farm, and you can watch his full interview on iFollow.

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WHAT KENNY JACKETT HAD TO SAY

“All of the players and coaching staff will say that the league is most definitely our number one priority. Everyone was delighted to get through on Tuesday night, but we all know that Saturday is the most important thing.

“Consistency and winning games does of course help you, though, in terms of rolling on to the next game. Win, lose or draw, I move on very quickly and make sure the players do as well, so all our concentration is on the weekend.

“We’ve been there (Highbury Stadium) once before in the FA Cup and got a win, but they have a strong team and are competing with us in the league.

“Nobody here is underestimating them because the job that Joey Barton and Clint Hill has done there is outstanding. You always know it will be difficult against one of your rivals – in terms of where the sides are in the table – and we have to get our own performance right.”

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HOW TO GET YOUR MATCHDAY TICKETS

Tickets for the match will remain on sale until kick-off. Supporters will be able to buy theirs at the Club Shop at Highbury or down at the club’s training ground Poolfoot Farm.

Fans can also purchase their tickets online HERE, or head down to the ground on the day of the game – prices are as followed:

Adults from - £24

Seniors & Under 25s from - £19

Under 16s from - £9

If you require further details on tickets, please contact the Ticket Office on 01253 775080, or visit the Club Shop prior the match. 

SKY BET’S BETTING ODDS

Fleetwood are 13/8 to pick up all three points at home against Portsmouth. A draw between the two sides is priced at 21/10, with the away side 13/8 to win on the road.

One of Sky Bets’ price boosts are for Fleetwood to win and for both teams to score – 11/2.

For Joey Barton’s side to beat Portsmouth 2-1, you can get odds of 9/1.

For more odds on SkyBet, click HERE Please remember to bet and gamble responsibly.

Match Reports

Report: Town make it five straight wins after victory over Portsmouth

22 February 2020

Fleetwood Town make it five wins from their last five games after beating promotion challengers Portsmouth 1-0 at Highbury on Saturday afternoon.

Fleetwood started the game quicker than the visitors and had the ball in the back of the net after Callum Connelly nodded home from six yards out.

The Cod Army managed to see the game out for 72 minutes, with a brilliant defensive display and a fantastic showing of effort and work-rate, pushing the club into sixth place in Sky Bet League One.

In the opening stages of the game, both teams showed signs of intent, but neither were able to dominate possession. Although it was clear to see the quality and great form that either side possessed going into this game.

Joey Barton’s side grew into the game a lot faster and began to create some quality chances. The first real chance that Town created ended up in the back of the net, just 12 minutes into the game.

Danny Andrew whipped a brilliant ball into the area, with Alex Bass could only palm it away to Connolly, who nodded it home, scoring in consecutive fixtures for the first time in Fleetwood colours.

It wasn’t long before the Cod Army threatened again and this time it was through Wes Burns after some wonderful build-up play. Harry Souttar won possession back in the middle of the park before driving forwards and picking out Barrie McKay with a great pass. The on-loan Swansea man managed to played an enticing through ball into the box for Burns, but the Welshman was unable to convert.

The visitors came close in the 18^th minute when Ronan Curtis’ free-kick troubled Town’s defence. It as swung in high over everybody before dropping down onto the top of the crossbar. What an exciting opening to the game at Highbury.

Pompey had some set pieces to defend themselves, with Paul Coutts’ corner to the back post finding Souttar, but Christian Burgess was there to match the Australian international, putting it out for another corner. The second corner was lifted high into the box, with the wind getting under it, causing everyone problems – forcing Alex Bass – Portsmouth’s keeper - to punch it away high in the sky before eventually smothering it.

Fleetwood went in at half-time 1-0 up, and for the second match in a row, they managed to keep the visitors at bay for the first 45 minutes.

The conditions at Highbury didn’t changed one bit as the wind continued to cause lots of issues, with Fleetwood kicking into into the wind for the second half.

Even with the conditions, Town continued to cause problems. Burns was at the heart of it again when he found space in the middle of the park, just outside the 18-yard-box, to unleash a viscous shot at goal, but his effort was pushed wide by Bass.

Portsmouth began to control the game, forcing McKay into making a block resulting in a corner. The corner was then dealt with by Fleetwood, but only enough to concede another corner and the following one came much closer to troubling Town. Lewie Coyle had to be switched on to head the ball off the line to stop the visitors from grabbing the equaliser.

Coyle, again came up big in the area after a dangerous cross from the right found Seddon, who managed to get a shot away, but with the former Leeds United defender making a fantastic block to stop the ball from going any further. A brilliant defensive display from the Cod Army.

Josh Morris was introduced midway through the second half and came close twice late on in the match. Both attempts came from outside the box, with Bass scrambling across on both occasions, seeing the ball eventually go past his posts.

With five minutes added on, the players and the fans rallied together for one last push. With the referee blowing his whistle, it was a sigh of relief for Barton and his team as they picked up their fifth straight win against another promotion hopeful.

Fleetwood now sit in a play-off places, with a trip to fellow top six side Sunderland on Tuesday night.

Fleetwood XI: Cairns (GK), Coyle, Souttar, Gibson, Andrew, Burns, Coutts (c), Whelan, Connolly (Sowerby 81’), McKay (Morris 76’), Madden (Saunders 90’).

Subs not used: Crellin (GK), Thorvaldsson, Biggins, Holgate.

Portsmouth XI: Bass (GK), Naylor (c), Burgess, Marquis, Curtis, Bolton (McCrorie 57’), Harness, Raggett, Hawkins (Williams 57’) , McGeehan, Seddon.

Subs not used: MacGillvray (GK), Evans, Whatmough, Close, Haunstrup.

Attendance: 3,370 (747)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Get behind the Cod Army this weekend

17 February 2020

Fleetwood Town will be looking to extend their unbeaten run this weekend when promotion hopefuls Portsmouth visit Highbury on Saturday 22 February.

Joey Barton’s side beat fellow promotion hopefuls Peterborough United last weekend, with Callum Connolly and Wes Burns scoring the all-important goals in their 2-1 victory to push Fleetwood closer to the play-off places.

Fleetwood are currently on a seven game unbeaten run, and after four wins on the bounce, there is a buzz around the place and it’s time for you to make sure you’re counted.

Back the lads by getting your tickets today. Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults - £24

Concessions / Under 25s - £19

Under 16s - £9

To book tickets for this fixture, please contact the ticket office on 01253 775080 or visit the club shop between 9am and 5pm weekdays, and between 9am-1pm on Saturday’s.

Tickets can also be purchased via the online store or at the front desk at Poolfoot Farm.

Standings

FLEETWOOD TOWN​