Preview: Fleetwood Town v Portsmouth

7 August 2021

Fleetwood Town face Portsmouth on Saturday 7 August at Highbury in the first game of the 2021/22 Sky Bet League One season, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Portsmouth

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 7 August 2021

Kick-off: 15:00

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

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

As the season is set to start with the clash against Pompey at Highbury, Town can look back on their pre-season form with pride as they managed to win four and draw one in five games.

Last time out, Fleetwood Town completed a comeback as they came from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 at Highbury. The Whites’ captain Charlie Cresswell opened the scoring in the first half through a header, but a second half spree of chances not only brought Fleetwood back into the game, but also put them ahead with goals coming from Shayden Morris and Ged Garner.

Before that, Fleetwood Town overcame Sky Bet Championship opponents in Huddersfield Town, thanks to goals from Shayden Morris and Ged Garner.

In a game where fans were welcomed back into Highbury for the first time in 507 days, it was a solid showing as the Cod Amy took a two-goal lead in the first half playing some impressive football which took Fleetwood into the break with a lead; Huddersfield responded with a goal with 15 minutes to go, but Fleetwood defended strongly to hold out for a win.

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PORTSMOUTH

Town’s opposition have enjoyed some winning results throughout their pre-season, ahead of the 2021/22 Sky Bet League One season, with their last game being a 2-0 win over Championship side, Peterborough United.

Supporters made a welcome return to Fratton Park for the first time in more than seven months – and made plenty of noise. They were rewarded with a display full of energy and confident passing from Danny Cowley’s troops. Tunnicliffe took advantage of a defensive mix-up to break the deadlock midway through the first half, while an impressive Curtis effort wrapped things up by the interval.

Their last away trip was against another Championship side in Luton Town two weeks ago, in which the game finished 1-1 at Kenilworth Road.

In front of a healthy crowd at Luton, they soon found themselves trailing to an early finish from tricky striker Elijah Adebayo but, Gassan Ahadme immediately drew them level – taking the forward’s tally for pre-season to an impressive eight strikes.

PRE-MATCH QUOTES: SIMON GRAYSON

Head Coach Simon Grayson spoke to the press on Thursday afternoon ahead of Fleetwood Town's Sky Bet League One opener against Portsmouth at Highbury. Here is what the gaffer had to say in his interview:

“Most teams would like to be at home for the first league game back with supporters, it’s going to be a great atmosphere. Portsmouth are known for their supporters travelling and they are one of the favourites for the division this year.

“They’ve been in the division for a few years now and they are desperate to get out of it. We’ve got to make sure that we just play our game, not the occasion, and make sure that we focus on what we are doing and what we have worked on. We’ll respect the opposition but at the same time, make sure they don’t have an easy time.

“I think we are in as good a place as we can be. The fitness levels have been good in the games so far and we’ve got nearly a full complement of first-team players available for selection. We’ve worked hard, it’s been tough for the players, but I’ve been encouraged by the signs in the games and training sessions and the proof will be in the pudding come Saturday.”

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WATCH THE GAME ON iFOLLOW!

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

Simon Grayson's side are set to host Portsmouth in a league clash at Highbury on Saturday and you can watch the game for just £10!

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

The best way to watch Fleetwood Town this year is by purchasing the Onward Card. For adults, you will pay as little as £170 for 23 Sky Bet League One matches, with many benefits included in the deal. Click HERE for more details.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Town narrowly lose out to Portsmouth on opening day

7 August 2021

Fleetwood Town narrowly lost out on the opening day of the season, losing 1-0 to Portsmouth on a blustery afternoon at Highbury.

The Cods started out the game strong creating multiple gilt-edged chances, forcing saved out of the Portsmouth goalkeeper but it wasn’t meant to be as the only goal of the game came from a driven hot by Lee Brown.

The first chance of the game fell to Fleetwood just four minutes into the game as Shayden Morris managed to work his way Brown, before playing a low-cross towards Callum Morton, who couldn’t quite guide the ball goal wards.

Town pressured the goalkeeper again two minutes later when Jordan Rossiter picked out Ged Garner 25-yards. He drove forward and struck the ball with his left foot and forced a save out of Alex Bass.

Harrison Biggins had a chance soon after as a cross found him inside the Portsmouth box unmarked as he swung his boot at it and made the goalkeeper make another save.

Eight minutes in, Garner fancied a chance from the right-wing as he moved the ball to his left and curled an effort, aiming for the top corner, but it went just wide of the far post.

Portsmouth had their first real chance of the game 11 minutes in as Marcus Harness received the ball on the wing, playing a cross into the Town box, which was cleared only to Ryan Tunnicliffe on the edge, whose effort went well wide of the target.

It was almost a goal to the good for Town after 13 minutes as Max Clark found Garner from a cross, who forced another save from the goalkeeper, even though he could only parry the ball to Morton but, it was blocked by Clark Robertson.

The game calmed down then, after a short interval as James Hill received some treatment, with the next big chance coming in the 28^th minute as Ronan Curtis stood over a free-kick for the visitors 30-yards out and tried his luck, hitting the crossbar in the process.

Ten minutes later, Fleetwood had a gilt-edged chance to go into the lead as a cross was played over a crowd of players around the penalty area towards Harrison Biggins, but his open header went wide.

The heavens opened at the start of the second half as both sides struggled to find their feet in the early stages. The best chance would come from Hill, who scuffed his half-volley wide of the Pompey goal.

In the 55^th minute, Morris was played in from the midfield, dribbling between Brown and Robertson and unleashing a strike towards the near post, but Bass was a match.

After a bit of pinball inside the Town box a couple of minutes later, The Cods’ new number one Alex Cairns was called into action, pulling off a brilliant save from John Marquis’ close-range effort.

On the hour mark, the visitors took the lead as Brown latched onto a loose cross inside the Fleetwood box and swung his boot at the ball, which went across Cairns and into the back of the net.

Simon Grayson’s side carried on attacking, even after the away goal, with Brad Halliday passing to Garner on the edge of the area, whose shot was mis-hit and went well wide.

Halliday had a tricky effort from close range go just wide with little time left on the clock, after Morris burst past his marker and found him in the box. Bass had to be on hand but the shot trickled just past the post.

Town XI: Cairns (GK), Halliday, Andrew, Clarke, Morton, Rossiter (C), Garner (Pilkington 72’), Morris, Hill, Biggins (Batty 72’), Clark (Edmondson 82’).

Subs not used: Crellin (GK), D.Johnson, Camps, Holgate.

Pompey XI: Bass (GK), Brown, Robertson (C), Ahadme (Hackett-Fairchild 68’), Tunnicliffe, Marquis (Hirst 74’), Harness (C.Johnson 90+2'), Curtis, Freeman, Ogilvie, Raggett.

Subs not used: Bazunu (GK), Mnoga, Kaba, Jewitt-White.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Lincoln City (a) tickets and travel on sale now

7 August 2021

Tickets and coach travel are now on sale for Fleetwood Town’s first Sky Bet League One away trip of the season to Lincoln City.

Simon Grayson’s side travel to Sincil Bank on Saturday 14 August (3pm k/o).

The Cod Army will be situated in the (Stacey West Stand), with prices as follows:

General Admission

Adult £24

Concession £19

Junior £10

Coach Travel

Coaches will be departing FTFC at 8am, costing only £10 for Adult Onward Card Holders and £5 for all Onward Card concessions and £15 for Non Onward Card Holders.

To purchase either match tickets or coach travel visit the club shop at Highbury Stadium. For any questions or queries on this fixture, please call the ticket office on 01253 775080.