Shrewsbury Town lose out against Kenny Jackett's Portsmouth.
Town: Steve Arnold (Jonathan Mitchell, 79) Ro-Shaun Williams, Omar Beckles, Shaun Whalley, Greg Docherty, Fejiri Okenabirhie, James Bolton (Tyrese Campbell, 72), Luke Waterfall, Scott Golbourne, Ollie Norburn, Anthony Grant (Josh Laurent, 77).
Subs: Jonatha Mitchell, David Edwards, Mat Sadler, Tyrese Campbell, Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Josh Laurent, Stefan Payne.
Pompey: Craig MacGillivray, Lee Brown, Matt Clarke, Christian Burgess, Tom Naylor, Brett Pitman, Jamal Lowe, Nathan Thompson, Omar Bogle (Ollie Hawkins, 55), Gareth Evans, Ben Close
Subs: Alex Bass, Anton Walks, Oli Hawkins, Adam May, James Vaughan, Lloyd Isgrove, Brandon Haunstrup.
Referee: Ollie Yates
Assistants: Paul Hobday and Natalie Aspinall
Fourth official: Billy Smallwood
Attendance: 8028 (1172)
Shrewsbury Town were unable to secure any points against today’s visitors Portsmouth.
Two goals from the away side was the difference between the two sides at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.
First Half:
Town’s tie against Pompey started in quick fashion with both teams having a look in at goal. Town had the first chance of the game with Shaun Whalley narrowly missing a driven cross and Pompey’s Jamal Lowe seemed to be through on goal – until Steve Arnold rushed off his line to claim the ball.
Whalley had another great chance in the 16th minute, only to be denied by a great save from Craig MacGillivray. The keeper dived down well to his right-hand side to parry Whalley’s shot on to the post.
All the chances were falling Town’s way with just 24minutes on the clock. Ollie Norburn found himself through on goal but was unable to guide his shot into the back of the net due to pressure from the Pompey keeper.
Arnold was called into action just before the half an hour mark. Gareth Evans got on the end of Lowe’s cross but Town’s shot stopper managed to get two strong hands on the ball to keep out the powerful shot.
Pompey managed to take one of their few chances in the latter stages of the half. The ball pinged around in the box but a lucky bounce saw the ball to Ben Close and the midfielder powerfully struck the ball into the back of the net.
The half came to an end with the visitors taking a one-goal advantage into the break. Both sides enjoyed a competitive end-to-end half, but Pompey managed to convert a chance and take the lead.
Second Half:
Town came out of the starting blocks fast and looked to get back on level terms immediately. Greg Docherty did well just inside the Pompey box to fire off a shot but MaGillivray did well to push the ball away.
Town were awarded a free kick just outside the box in the 50th minute after Whalley was pushed over. Fejiri Okenabirhie took the resulting free kick but the striker couldn’t beat the wall.
Omar Bogle was given a yellow card for clashing with Scott Golbounrne in the 52nd minute.
Just three minutes later Tom Naylor was also given a yellow card for a poor challenge on Anthony Grant.
Town were pushing hard to find a goal and were the only side creating chances. Whalley and Ollie Norburn were all doing well and were looking to force their side back onto level terms.
Close was given a yellow card in the 68th minute for a foul on Norburn in the middle of the park.
Town were pushing forward and were nearly caught out by a Pompey counter attack. The visitors played in a nice cross and Ollie Hawkins managed to head towards goal. Arnold however denied Pompey a second goal with a great reaction save.
Christian Burgess was added to the referee’s book in the 76th minute for tripping Whalley on the edge of the box. Norburn stood up to take the free kick but couldn’t beat the away side’s keeper with his driven cross.
Pompey managed to secure anther goal due to a defensive mistake by Town. Arnold kicked the ball against Omar Beckles and the visitors managed to latch onto the ball and fire in a cross. Brett Pitman met the pass and he fired home from six yards out.
The game came to an end with Town unable to force themselves back into the tie.