[themaclad]

Portsmouth
Deepdale 15/3/2025 1500 hrs

When the two clubs met in November I think it was only their second win of the season, they have now have more wins than we do.

https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/

MANAGER



FORM





PNE 4 PORTSMOUTH 11

Pompey have had an odd week, excellent beating Marching All Together, whilst losing the Dockyard derby

The Fitness Test
Paul Heckingbottom will provide a team news update in his pre-match press conference.

Pompey



In their first season back in the Championship, Portsmouth have pushed themselves away from the relegation zone in recent weeks, having won four of their previous six matches.

Their victory over PNE in the reverse fixture in November kickstarted a remarkable run of form at Fratton Park, going on to win eight of their next 11 matches on home turf.

Former North End midfielder John Mousinho will be hoping his side can improve on their performances on the road, though, having only picked up two away victories this season.

The Officials

Referee: Tony Harrington
Assistant Referees: Matthew Wilkes and Darren Williams
Fourth Official: Will Finnie

Premier League official Tony Harrington will take charge of his first PNE fixture since February 2024.

That was a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough, on a night where the club paid tribute to Sir Tom Finney on the tenth anniversary of his passing.

So far this season, Harrington has shown 83 yellow cards and four reds in 19 matches.


MACS VIEW

Interesting game against a Pompey side who after a slow start have guided their way to a position which does suggest a second seasonn at this level. One of our crapper performances down their, be nice to finish before the well earned international break with a win, won't be easy.

[themaclad]

Preston North End 2 Porteous, Thordarson Portsmouth 1 Bishop



Attendance: 17,240 (3,624 Portsmouth fans).

Referee: Mr T Harrington.

Our first home win since the end of January when we beat Boro, scorer that day Stefan Thordarson, that was his first for the club, he got his second today it got us the points in a hard fought game. Possibly slightly harsh on the visitors who were the better of the two sides in an abysmal first half.
It summed up our first 45 minutes that we made four substitutions at half time, apparently we changed shape, it worked as we probably were the better side in the second period.
The first 45 only a shot by Devlin which dribbled harmlessly wide following a Pompey break from one of our corners and a curler from Dozzell which had Woodman beaten but ended up the wrong side of the post.
We created little, as we sent the ball into the stratosphere, although to be fair trying to play passing football on our pitch is not the easiest as Villa will find out in two weeks time, also have to say the grass looked a little long as well.
No goals at half time, on came the subs and the game began to open up actually enjoyed the second half, Riis probably should have done better from a header from about 10 yards, however it was Pompey who went close when Bramall picked up teh ball in his own house before firing a shot from 30 yards which beat Woodman but crashed against the bar.
On came Evans had a note which he passed to Porteous which probably basically said score.
Free kick second ball from Whiteman planned move, Hughes won the header, Evans back headed it and Porteous at the back post was first to the ball.
Pompey roarded on by an impressive 3600 instantly back on the attack, three corners on teh bouncee from the third, ball into the 6 yard box Freddie nowhere to be seen, Bishop first to the ball, scores level.
Looked like another draw until a piece of brilliance won the game.
Brady ball forward, Thordarson three touches, one to control, second to take it round the keeper, the third left footed vrom a narrow angle far corner of the net, super goal.
The rest of the game was about Greenwood, lobbed the keeper from 60 yards only just wide, then booked for not retreating at a free kick and then went in for a header leading with his elbow second yellow then a red.
Luckily enough not much time left which we survived.
Three vital points takes us within the 50 point survival point given Derby now have 38 points still gives us a useful buffer.

HECK

Paul Heckingbottom felt the three points against Portsmouth was a reward for the performances his side have put in during recent matches.

The manager’s been left frustrated at times this season that his team have been the dominant side yet not won, however Stefán Thórdarson’s late goal at Deepdale ensured they did take victory in the final home game prior to the international break.

It wasn’t all plain sailing, though, with the gaffer unhappy with the tempo of his side in the first half, and as a result he opted to make four changes at the break.


Hecky said: “Listen, there were good moments in the first half, but that's all they were, moments. It's more the pace at which we played at.

“I say all along, I want to enjoy watching us play. With Portsmouth, I don’t mean to be patronising in any way, shape or form when I say this, I really like what they've done and how they've changed their season around.

“They're really difficult to play against and that was having a big impact on us. I've also said we've been drawing too many games, so I felt it was on us. The onus was on us being the home team with our support behind us to try and force the issue and get the win.”

It was a tight opening hour or so, with the visitors actually coming closest through Cohen Bramall’s outstanding 30-yard effort which struck the woodwork.


The deadlock was broken, though, in the 76th minute when Ched Evans – with his first touch after coming on off the bench – headed across the box for Ryan Porteous to poke it home.

Hecky said: “When we sent Ched on we were going to change shape but we scored then straight away so we didn't. We were disappointed with Portsmouth's goal obviously from a set play, so then we did change shape again to try and force the issue.

“We put Steffi at the right of the diamond in midfield and then he makes a fantastic run and I've not seen the finish yet but it must have been a real tight angle so yeah, fantastic goal to win it.”

After feeling like his side were the better two on Wearside during the week, the boss was delighted to be able to head into the international break with a victory.

Hecky added: “It's a reward for all the performances they've been putting in. How many times have I said what I said after Sunderland? Sometimes I probably come across more disappointed than I am with the performance just because it is frustrating and we all feel it so yeah for us to get the rewards today it's fantastic.”

Mous

John Mousinho made no attempt to hide his anger after watching his side throw away any points at Preston.

They had looked in control for much of the afternoon, only for Ryan Porteous to bundle their opponents ahead late on.

And even though Colby Bishop soon levelled, the hosts were gifted another opportunity that was gleefully accepted by Stefán Thórdarson.

It left Mousinho fuming about the manner in which Pompey approached the final few minutes of the contest.

The Blues boss said: “I’m absolutely furious and can’t believe what we did after scoring the equaliser.

“It was unacceptable and I think I’ve been far too nice and far too kind to this team for far too long now.

“After working so hard to get ourselves back into the game, what happened was just awful. It was a good reaction to get the equaliser and then a terrible one to concede again.

“It was unacceptable and I think I’ve been far too nice and far too kind to this team for far too long now.”

John Mousinho

“We kept getting the press wrong and leaving our man – we were doing some of the world’s silliest things.

“When you watch the second goal back, they’re on the halfway line with four of our players around their guy.

“It’s the same old message we give them about dealing with that and yet the ball ends up in the back of our net. It’s not good enough.

“For most of the game it had been a really good away performance, without being spectacular in the final third.

“I thought we looked comfortable, even after Preston made the four changes, but yet again, we’ve shot ourselves in the foot.

“Most played well for 89 minutes – if you want to do that then you find themselves back in League One. If you want to play well for the full match, then you give yourselves a chance.

“We built up a 10-point gap to the bottom three and now we seem to have just switched off. We explicitly tell the players not to do that.

“It’s going to be a miserable period to the next game – and that’s how it should be. We need to take a tougher line because the message doesn’t seem to be sinking in.”

[themaclad]