FA Cup match preview: Fleetwood Town v Portsmouth

3 January 2020

Fleetwood Town welcome Portsmouth to Highbury Stadium on Saturday 4 January 2020 for a Third Round Emirates FA Cup clash, and we have all you need to know in our match preview.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Portsmouth

Competition: Emirates FA Cup Round Three

Date: Saturday 4 January 2020

Kick-off: 17:31 (GMT)

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

Match officials: Marc Edwards (Referee) Graeme Fyvie & Alan Clayton (Assistants) Thomas Parsons (Fourth Official)

Saturday’s match between Fleetwood and Portsmouth will be Mr. Edwards second time at Highbury Stadium this season. He took charge of Town’s 1-0 win over MK Dons on Saturday 26 October 2019.

The Englishman has officiated 18 matches this season, whilst handing out 45 yellow cards and just the one red card – which came in Peterborough United’s 2-0 home win over Lincoln City.

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

The Cod Army will play their first home match of this season’s Emirates FA Cup competition since last year's match against AFC Wimbledon. After two matches on the road against National League side Barnet and League Two outfit Crawley Town, it is a welcomed home tie for Joey Barton and his side.

Town won their Second Round tie 2-1 at Crawley with Josh Morris and Paddy Madden scoring the all important goals to see the Cod Army through to the Third Round for the third year running.

After the club announced the departures of centre-halves Jimmy Dunne and Peter Clarke, as well as midfielder Ash Hunter, the head coach could give the younger players at the club a chance to shine in front of the home fans.

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PORTSMOUTH

The visitors to Highbury at the weekend left it very late to seal their name in the hat for the Third Round after Brett Pitman scored a 94^th minute winner against National League North side Altrincham.

Ben Close got Pompey up and running at Fratton Park with a goal just before the hour mark, with Josh Hancock scoring seven minutes from time from the penalty spot. Kenny Jackett threw everything at the non-league outfit, and got his rewards when Pitman smashed home with seconds to spare.

With eight wins in their last 12 matches, Portsmouth come to the Fylde Coast full of confidence, looking to get their name in the next round. They picked up the FA Cup back in 2008 after a famous victory over Cardiff at Wembley.

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ONE TO WATCH – RONAN CURTIS

One for Town fans to keep an eye out for on Saturday is forward, Ronan Curtis. The Irishman has scored 11 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions this season, with his last in Portsmouth’s 3-1 loss away at MK Dons.

Curtis began his career at Derry City in 2015, and spent four seasons at the club. He played in over 100 games for City scoring 24 goals.

In May 2018, he joined the South Coast club for a fee of around £100,000 and in March 2019 he won his first major honour – the EFL Trophy after beating Sunderland at Wembley.

He has made three senior appearances for his National team, whilst playing eight times for the Under 21s where he scored just the one goal.

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LISTEN TO THE GAME ON iFOLLOW

If you can’t make Saturday’s game, then we’ve got you covered as you can listen to full match commentary on iFollow.

Due to the Football Association having full broadcasting rights, fans will only be allowed to purchase an Audio Match Pass. This will cost you just £2.50, so why are you waiting? Buy yours NOW!

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.

WHAT JOEY BARTON HAD TO SAY

Joey Barton spoke to the media ahead of the cup tie against Portsmouth, and you can watch the full interview on the club’s official iFollow channel.

Click HERE to hear what Town’s head coach had to say.

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THOUGHTS FROM PORTSMOUTH – KENNY JACKETT

“I feel for our supporters because it’s a long trip, but I love their commitment to the club and the fact they get behind the players.

“It’s the luck of the draw and if you want to progress to the latter rounds and get one of the big-boys, you have to come through different kinds of games. We have to be prepared to face a good Fleetwood side and by the time Saturday comes around, we will be.

“There are financial rewards for getting through, but – first and foremost – it’s the footballing reasons were focused on. It’s a fantastic competition and one we have a lot of respect for, so we’ll be committed and looking to do well.

“It’s consistency that we’re really looking for at the moment and making sure we get those finer details 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 at 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 - £10

Seniors & Under 25s - £5

Under 16s - £1

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

You can get a price of 5/4 for Town to win on the day, or odds of 8/11 to simply reach the next round of the competition).

Portsmouth on the other hand are backed at 19/10 to win on Saturday, with odds of EVENS to reach the Fourth Round.

A popular requested bet this week is for Fleetwood to win, both teams to score, 4+ corners each and for 20+ booking point for each team – The odds for this are 28/1!

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

Match Reports

Report: Town exit FA Cup after Portsmouth defeat

4 January 2020

Fleetwood Town's run in this season's Emirates FA Cup came to an end after a 2-1 home defeat to Portsmouth on Saturday evening.

Fleetwood - despite having chances of their own - were on the wrong end of two set-pieces from the visitors in the second half, with James Bolton and John Marquis scoring the goals for Pompey.

Town did get a goal back in added on time through Conor McAleny, with the substitute hitting his shot from range, whilst getting a slight deflection on the way through to goal.

The game began with both sides going for it in the middle of the park, but it was the visitors who threatened first.

Portsmouth broke on the counter attack and when Marcus Harness whipped in a cross, he found Marquis, but the former Doncaster forward headed the ball just wide of the goal post.

After a long ball over the top from Kenny Jackett’s side, Harness reacted to Harry Souttar’s clearance first, with Andy Cannon picking up the loose ball and firing over the bar.

Just after the twenty minute mark, there was a big shout for a penalty for the hosts! The ball appeared to strike the arm of a Portsmouth defender, but the referee in the middle Mr. Edwards waved away the claims.

Immediately after, it could have been a penalty to the visitors. Marquis turned to the referee after Souttar brought down the forward, but the man in the middle judged a foul on the Australian defender first.

Before the half-hour mark, Wes Burns did well to break away from his man before floating a ball into the box, but it failed to find a fellow teammate in the process.

The Cod Army nearly took the lead after Ched Evans and Paddy Madden combined, before the Irishman‘s strike was saved well by Alex Bass in the Pompey goal.

This opened the game up, and Portsmouth had another chance to open the scoring. Harness did well to control the ball before striking at goal, which was brilliantly diverted wide by a block from Lewie Coyle.

Five minutes before half-time, it was Fleetwood who felt they should have taken the lead. From a Paul Coutts corner, it was Souttar who managed to make contact with his head, with his effort just sailing over the bar.

At the start of the second half, Madden had a chance to put the hosts into the ascendancy but he couldn’t direct his first time shot on target, seeing it sail over the Percy Ronson Stand – which held over 300 Portsmouth fans.

Minutes later, after Portsmouth failed to deal with the attacking threat, Danny Andrew’s curling shot looked destined for goal, but it was blocked out for a corner.

As play was under way in the second half, Portsmouth piled on the pressure after the hour mark, as tiredness started to show from Joey Barton’s side.

The former FA Cup winners caused chaos in the Town back line after Harness’ cross found Cannon inside the penalty area, but the midfielder’s effort went wayward.

Shortly after, the visitors took the lead from a corner. The ball was swung in from the right and it was somehow bundled over the line by Bolton to give the away side the lead at Highbury.

Despite going a goal down, the response from Fleetwood was immediate. Josh Morris found himself in space from 25-yards out, but his effort was comfortable for Bass.

Town pushed for that equaliser but it was Jackett’s side who doubled their lead. Another corner was swung in from the opposite corner spot this time with Marquis ready to pounce after confusion in the six-yard box.

As the game neared an end, Town continued to try and break down the visitors. Burns kept plugging away and found space to shoot from distance, but his strike went over the bar.

With three minutes of added on time shown on the officials board, McAleny – who was a second half substitute - got the Cod Army back into the game with a fruitful strike from the edge of the box. Was there time for another Fleetwood attack?

The ball was played forward by Barton’s side deep into added on time, but Portsmouth held firm at the back to put their name in the hat for Monday’s Fourth Round draw.

Fleetwood are back in cup action on Tuesday evening when they welcome Accrington Stanley to Highbury Stadium in the Leasing.com Trophy – which will be the club’s fourth home match in nine days.

Town XI: Cairns (GK), Coyle, Andrew, Eastham (McAleny 83’), Souttar, Burns, Dempsey, Evans, Morris, Coutts (C) (Sowerby 72’), Madden (Saunders 80’).

Subs not used: Gilks (GK), Biggins, Hill, Garner.

Portsmouth XI: Bass (GK), Walkes, Naylor (C), Burgess, Marquis, Curtis, Bolton, Cannon, Harness, Raggett, Seddon (Close 80’).

Subs not used: MacGillivary (GK), Downing, Pitman, Hawkins, Harrison, Evans.

Attendance: 2,145 (525)

Ticket News

Kids for a quid at Portsmouth FA Cup clash

2 January 2020

Kids tickets are just £1 for Fleetwood Town’s FA Cup Third Round tie with Portsmouth on Saturday 4 January 2020 (5:31pm kick-off).

The Emirates FA Cup arrives at Highbury Stadium for the first time this year, and kids entry to the game is just £1 – so why not bring your youngster to the match!

Adult tickets start from £10, with 17-23 year-old tickets start from just £5. Don’t miss out on this great game in the world’s greatest knockout competition.

Ticket prices for the match are as followed:

	STANDING	SEATING
ADULTS	£10	£13
CONCESSIONS*	£5	£7
UNDER 16s	£1	£3

*Concession prices apply for those over the age of 65, and for fans who are aged between 17-23 years-old.

Supporters can buy their tickets online at www.ftfcstore.com, or by heading down to the ticket office at Highbury, or at the main reception at Poolfoot Farm.

For more information, please contact the ticket office on 01253 775080.

Standings