Preview: Portsmouth v Fleetwood Town

14 December 2020

Fleetwood Town face Portsmouth on Tuesday 15 December at Fratton Park in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 7:45pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Portsmouth v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Tuesday 15 December 2020

Kick-off: 19:45

Venue: Fratton Park, Frogmore Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 8RA

Match officials: Alan Young (Referee), Paul Lister & Ryan Whitaker (Assistant Referees), Carl Brook (Fourth Official)

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

Fleetwood head to Fratton Park after winning their last outing, which was an away clash against Swindon Town on Saturday.

Paddy Madden poked home Josh Morris’ corner in the first-half to score his 41st league goal – and 50^th in all competitions – for the club which turned out to be the decider in the tie in Wiltshire.

Before that, Town progressed to Round Three of the Papa John’s Trophy, beating local rivals Blackpool 5-4 in a penalty shootout, after a closely contested match. It was penalties that decided the tie as Mark Duffy scored the win.

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PORTSMOUTH

Pompey are currently on a streak of good results, winning all of their last three outings in all competitions, beating Ipswich Town last time out.

Kenny Jackett’s side travelled to Portman Road on Saturday and came away with all three points as Ryan Williams bagged a brace in the first-half, settling the tie before the break.

Former-Fleetwood striker Jordy Hiwula was on the score sheet in the game before that as Portsmouth progressed in the Pap John’s Trophy after a 3-0 win over Cheltenham Town. Haji Mnoga opened the scoring on the night before Hiwula scored a goal either side of half-time.

ONE TO WATCH – JOHN MARQUIS

The one to watch for Town’s clash with Portsmouth is forward John Marquis. The 28-year-old is currently the top scorer with nine goals in the league, and eleven in all competitions.

Lewisham-born Marquis started his career in August 2009 at Millwall and went out on seven different loan spells during his time at The Den, with his most prolific time coming in 2015 whilst at Gillingham. In that spell, the forward managed eight goals in 21 appearances.

Even though he spent much of his time out on loan, Marquis also made over 65 appearances for Millwall, scoring six goals in that time.

In June 2016, Marquis made the move to Doncaster Rovers and went on to spend the next three years in Yorkshire. Not only did he make over 150 appearances for the club, but he also found the next on 67 occasions.

This attracted the attention of Pompey who made a move for the number nine in August 2019. Since joining the side from Fratton Park, he has scored 25 goals in 71 matches.

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WATCH TOWN ON iFOLLOW!

Supporters can now purchase video match passes for Fleetwood Town’s Sky Bet League One clash against Portsmouth on Tuesday.

With games still being played behind closed doors, the match pass is your best option to watch the Cod Army during the early stages of the 2020/21 season.

Joey Barton's side will travel to Fratton Park on Tuesday to face Portsmouth for a Sky Bet League One encounter - and you can watch the game for just £10!

If you'd like to purchase your match pass, click HERE.

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Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: A point and a clean sheet for Town against Portsmouth

15 December 2020

Fleetwood Town held out in their Sky Bet League One clash against Portsmouth as they manage to earn a point and a clean sheet at Fratton Park.

The first half was a cagey affair with both sides struggling to create gilt-edged, with most of the possession in the middle of the park. Wes Burns was denied before the break before Craig MacGillivray pulled off a brilliant save with seconds to go in the game.

The first chance of the game fell to the hosts when John Marquis’ low cross into the box found the feet of Ronan Curtis whose first-time effort flew high over the crossbar.

Josh Morris came close for the Cod Army when his cross-shot appeared to be curling in at the far post, but Portsmouth’s Jack Whatmough was in the way to head to the ball to safety.

Whatmough found himself at the heart of the action at the other end when his pass played Ryan Williams through on goal – his low driven effort was superbly saved by the diving Jayson Leutwiler.

Fleetwood almost found a way through themselves when Danny Andrew picked up the ball on the left flank. He picked out Madden just inside the area who saw the run of Wes Burns but he saw his strike saved by the feet of Pompey goalkeeper MacGillivray.

The home side had a chance to break the deadlock on the counterattack but Leutwiler was in the way again, pulling off a smart save to deny Williams for a second time.

Pompey threatened again when Andy Cannon latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the Fleetwood area, but he saw his effort blocked by the onrushing Callum Connolly.

Marquis came close for Pompey when he was picked out by Marcus Harness close to Leutwiler’s goal. His effort however didn’t trouble the goalkeeper as it soared over the bar.

Harness’s deflected cross almost found the back of the net before the break, but the back-peddling Leutwiler was able to claw the ball to safety.

It was a tightly contested battle for possession in the early stages of the second half with neither side managing to create a clear-cut chance. Connolly and Mulgrew were rock solid at the back for the Cod Army.

The first real chance of the half fell Portsmouth’s way when Curtis picked up possession on the left. He cut inside and unleashed a strike from range towards the near post but only managed to find the side netting.

With five minutes to go, Pompey came close to taking the lead Harness’ strike from the outside the area went inches wide of the near post.

Moments later, Fleetwood came close to taking home all three points when Duffy’s free-kick found Mulgrew at the back post but MacGillivray made himself big and blocked the shot.

Town XI: Leutwiler (GK), Andrew, Connolly (C), Burns, Camps, Morris (Duffy 78’), Mulgrew, Rossiter, Madden, McKay (Hill 74’), Finley (Coutts 78’).

Subs not used: Cairns (GK), Saunders, Boyes, Matete.

Portsmouth XI: MacGillivray (GK), Johnson, Naylor (C), Whatmough, Williams (Harrison 59’), Marquis, Curtis (Jacobs 73’), Cannon, Harness, Raggett, Pring.

Subs not used: Bass (GK), Close, Nicolaisen, Hiwula, Mnoga.