Preview: Portsmouth v Fleetwood Town

25 February 2022

Fleetwood Town face Portsmouth on Saturday 26 February at Fratton Park in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Portsmouth v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 26 February 2022

Kick-off: 15:00

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

Fratton Park.jpg

FLEETWOOD TOWN

The Cods head into the game against Portsmouth after an impromptu break due to the recent games against Lincoln City and Sheffield Wednesday being called off due to weather and stadium issues.

With Stephen Crainey’s side losing in their last away clash, they will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Cheltenham Town at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium last time out, which ended 2-0 to the Robins.

Before that, Town managed to pick up points in the four games previous to that, after picking up draws – both home and away – against Plymouth Argyle, Cambridge United, Shrewsbury Town, and Milton Keynes Dons respectively.

PORTSMOUTH

Pompey have had a set of mixed results over the last six games as they have won three and lost three in that time, and currently find themselves sat in mid-table in 11^th place.

Saying that, Portsmouth have picked up maximum points in their last three games, which started with a 2-1 win over Burton at home with Sean Raggett and Michael Jacobs getting the goals on that day. Then, they beat Doncaster Rovers 4-0 after four different goal scorers helped them top that result.

In the most recent game, it was a dominant performance for Danny Cowley’s side against Shrewsbury Town at the Montgomery Waters Meadow, even after the home team took the lead 14 minutes in. Aiden O’Brien and Louis Thompson both grabbed goals on either side of the break to turn the tie on its head, ensuring the points would head back down south.

LAST THREE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES

Fixture: Fleetwood Town 0-1 Portsmouth

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 7 August 2021

Venue: Highbury Stadium

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Fixture: Fleetwood Town 0-1 Portsmouth

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 16 January 2021

Venue: Highbury Stadium

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Fixture: Portsmouth 0-0 Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Tuesday 15 December 2020

Venue: Fratton Park

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	Fleetwood Town	Draws	Portsmouth
H2H results	3	2	7

PRE-MATCH QUOTES: STEPHEN CRAINEY

Head Coach Stephen Crainey spoke to the press ahead of his side’s Sky Bet League One clash against Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday afternoon. Here is what he had to say in his interview:

“When you get a defeat in football, you want to get into the next game as quick as possible and, unfortunately, we’ve had to wait two weeks for that. The positive is we’ve had time to get a lot of detail into the group during training and we’ve prepared the best we can so we’re looking to go down there and put on a good show against Portsmouth.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game as they are a tough side, with a big budget as well, but we’re going to go there and be competitive, and will be looking to get all three points in the game. I’m looking forward to Saturday as the lads have got a lot of good energy to burn, we are hoping that turns into a positive result for us.

“They’re a good side and have quality players, but we feel like we can hurt them in certain areas at the same time. I’ve always said that there’s not much in League One and if you manage to turn up on the day, you’ve got half a chance in a game and that’s what we are going to be doing on Saturday.”

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Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Town play out six-goal draw against Portsmouth

26 February 2022

Fleetwood Town were held to a 3-3 draw by Portsmouth away from home at Fratton Park on Saturday afternoon.

Four goals in the first half meant it was an action-packed first 45, however, it was backs to the wall for Fleetwood as the backline was broken twice in the second half the last in stoppage time meant the points were shared.

In the opening five minutes, Pompey looked to set the tempo but Tyler Walker’s volley was pulled well wide.

It was superb work by Carl Johnston down the right to battle with Denver Hume, he played it to Ellis Harrison who accelerated down the wing and had the beating of Clark Robertson where Harrison perfectly pulled it back to Anthony Pilkington who slotted into the top corner on the eight-minute mark as Town opened the scoring.

It was a physical battle in the first ten minutes with both sides battling well in an attempt to own possession.

With just under 20 minutes played, Town’s lead was doubled as Johnston and Paddy Lane linked up perfectly to one-two their way between Pompey’s backline as the former’s pull back to Biggins 12 yards out was perfect as Biggins struck perfectly into the roof of the net.

Pilkington again proved a thorn in the hosts’ side as his effort was struck straight at Gavin Bazunu - this was Pilkington’s last involvement as he couldn’t carry on due to a knock.

With over half an hour played Pompey looked to react to their two-goal disadvantage but Fleetwood dealt with whatever came their way with resilience.

With not long to go before halftime still Portsmouth press where Ronan Curtis works a yard of space in Fleetwood’s box however his effort is well wide of the post.

With 40 gone, Dan Butterworth and Johnston again combine down the right - Lane receives the ball 30 yards out and strikes one straight into the top corner - some strike for Town’s third.

A penalty by Curtis on the stroke of half-time pulled one back for the hosts and Portsmouth started the second half as they ended the first with constant pressure. Curtis’ cross into Fleetwood’s corridor of uncertainty where it was an absolute goal-mouth scramble, but Town cleared their lines.

On the hour mark, the Blues had a free-kick 20 yards out, but Reeco Hackett’s left-footed effort flew over the bar. With constant pressure from the hosts, George Hirst found himself behind Fleetwood’s lines but dragged his effort wide.

During the eight minutes added time, it was another delivery by Harness which found Hirst in the box who headed wide. With only a few minutes to go in stoppage time, O’Brien was one on one with Alex Cairns and slotted under him to level things up in the dying embers of the game.

Despite Fleetwood’s efforts to keep the hosts at bay, Pompey’s second-half resurgence and comeback mean both sides share the spoils.

Town XI: Cairns (GK), Andrew (C), Jules, Clarke, Harrison (86’ J.Garner), Camps, Pilkington (Butterworth 23’) Biggins, Lane (89’ Baggley), Nsiala, Johnston

Subs not used: O’Hara (GK), Morris, Baggley, Boyle, Hayes

Pompey XI: Bazunu (GK), Hume (69’ O’Brien), Robertson (C), Tunnicliffe, Walker, Harness, Curtis, Carter (78’ Hirst), Hackett, Raggett, Morrell

Subs not used: Webber (GK), Romeo, Ogilvie, Thompson, Mingi

Attendance: 15,224 (106 away)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Next up for the Cods is a trip to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth

22 February 2022

Fleetwood Town are set to travel down south this Saturday to take on Portsmouth in their final Sky Bet League One game this February (3pm kick-off).

With Town's last two games against Lincoln City and Sheffield Wednesday both being called off, Stephen Crainey's side have a spell on the training pitch to get ready to take on Pompey at Fratton Park at the weekend in the hope of bringing three points back to the Fylde Coast.

Make sure to book your tickets in for the game; prices are below:

Tickets

The Cod Army will be located in the Milton End Block MEQ, with prices as follows:

Adults: £24

Seniors (65+): £18

Young Persons: £16

Under-18s: £7

*PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN ALL TICKET FIXTURE*

Coach Travel

Coaches will be departing Highbury Stadium at 6am, costing only £5 for all Onward Card Holders and £20 for Non-Onward Card Holders. To purchase either coach travel, visit the club shop at Highbury Stadium or call 01253 775080.