Portsmouth Look To Break Away Duck In Cup

Portsmouth will be hoping to avoid an upset in their FA Cup first round replay tonight (19th November, 19:45) as they take on Aldershot away at the Recreation Ground. The winner of tonight`s clash will take on Rochdale of League 1 at home on Sunday 7th December.

Andy Awford`s Pompey squandered a one goal lead in the initial fixture, the deadlock being broken by top scorer Jed Wallace from the penalty spot, and needed a late Danny Hollands header nine minutes from time to see them through to a replay. Jordan Roberts grabbed the Shots` equaliser before taking the lead through Mark Moseley on 68 minutes. Conference side Aldershot have played two league matches since the cup tie and have remained unbeaten, seeing them rise from 16th to 13th position. The Hampshire club hit two goals past play-off hopefuls Kidderminster Harriers without reply away from home before keeping another clean sheet in a 1-0 victory at home to Nuneaton.

Played only three days after their FA Cup game, Andy Scott`s men took the lead against the Harriers early in the second half with a Brett Williams penalty. Against 10 men, they flourished further and put the game out of sight as Moseley got his name on the scoresheet once again.

Dan Holman netted the only goal as the home team secured victory over early stage relegation favourites Nuneaton. Back-to-back wins has put the Shots six points off the play-off pace and eight away from relegation.

Portsmouth also lie 13th, though they ply their trade in League 2, the division above the Conference. The Fratton Park outfit have belied their status as promotion favourites mainly due to having won only once away from home in the league all season.

All is not lost for Awford`s boys however, sitting five points off the play-offs and only three wins away from competing with those in the automatic promotion spots.

Their abysmal away form continued, however, in the Dockyard Derby against Plymouth in their only game since the 2-2 draw with Aldershot. Nicky Shorey`s trip on Lewis Alessandra saw Pompey give away an early penalty, which Reuben Reid dispatched with ease. Alessandra then doubled the home club`s advantage before Reid scored his 11th of the season and killed the game off 15 minutes before half time. The match ended 3-0.

Despite such woeful fortune on the road, Awford`s side are being back to turn things around tonight. A number of bookmakers are offering 7/5 (Coral, ladbrokes, paddy Power, william hill) on the game being awarded to the League 2 giants, whilst the clash ending a draw after 90 minutes is available at 5/2 (bet365, betfred, Betvictor, Totesport). An Aldershot win is considered a more realistic outcome, priced at 9/4 with most bookmakers.

The Shots` will have to perform to the best of their capabilities without numerous key faces who are out injured. The experienced Anthony Tonkin has not played since October after sustaining a long-term calf injury whilst defender Mark Phillips (quad), midfielders Jaydon Gibbs and Jordan Roberts (both hamstring) and striker Josh Scott (foot) are all doubts.

Portsmouth welcome back Paul Robinson who has served his one game suspension for picking up a pair of yellow cards in the initial fixture. Like their Hampshire rivals, Awford will have to fight for a valuable away win without a plethora of key faces. All of Tom Craddock, James Dunne, Wes Fogden and Adam Webster are out with knee injuries whilst Danny East (groin) is also sidelined.

Three-goal Craig Westcarr is the 6/1 (Numerous) favourite to score first, so it might be worth considering the chance of top scorer Wallace who has already scored six this season. He`s 9/1 (Betvictor, Stan James, william hill) to break the deadlock. Aldershot`s Brett Williams is the favourite for the home side at 7/1 with ladbrokes.

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19/11/2014     © Frixo 2026