April 4-10: Pompey Put Five Past The Geordies But There Was No Fun In Blackpool

Tuesday 5:  With both Phil Rookes and Jasper Yeuell still on the injury list, Bill Hindmarsh will again appear at right-back for Pompey in their crucial top-of-the-table match at Newcastle United tomorrow evening (k.o. 6.15pm).

The full Pompey side to face Newcastle United at St James' Park tomorrow will be: Butler, Hindmarsh, Ferrier, Scoular, Flewin, Dickinson, Harris, Reid, Clarke, Phillps, Froggatt. 

Wednesday 6:  Pompey's crucial top-of-the-table match at Newcastle United kicks off at 6.15pm. We'll have all the news from St James' Park shortly after the final whistle. 

Pompey Reserves are also in action tonight. They face Crystal Palace Reserves at Selhurst Park (6.15pm). Lindy Delapenha returns to action after a month-long absence caused by a thigh injury. He replaces Asher, who has started his national service. 

League-leaders Pompey turned in one of the finest performances in their proud 50-year history when they ruthlessly swept aside Newcastle United, their closest challengers for the title, by FIVE goals to NIL at St James' Park this evening.

Jack Froggatt opened the scoring with a fine header after six minutes. He then doubled Pompey lead with a masterpiece of daring, throwing himself full-length at a low ball. 

Ernie Butler had saves to make but Pompey were generally much the better side. They effectively ended the game as a contest when Peter Harris scored, again with a header, eight minutes before the break. 

After the break Pompey continued to do pretty much as they pleased and Froggatt completed his hat-trick of headers That was the signal for  the terraces, packed to the gunwales at kick-off, to empty rapidly. 

Peter Harris completed the rout with yet another header a few minutes from time. 

Pompey's magnificent victory leaves them five points clear of Newcastle at the top of the table. On Saturday they face Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. Match Summary: Newcastle United 0, Portsmouth 5

Pompey Reserves won tonight too. They beat Crystal Palace Reserves 1-0 at Selhurst Park. Bennett scored the goal after 60 minutes. Match Summary: Crystal Palace Reserves 0, Portsmouth Reserves 1

Thursday 7:  Jack Froggatt (left) scored a hat-trick and Peter Harris weighed in with two more as Pompey crushed their title rivals Newcastle United 5-0 at St James' Park last night. Wingers scoring five headed goals in one match - has it happened before? 

Smashing Victory Puts League Championship In Portsmouth's Grasp - says today's Daily Herald 

Friday 8:  The Pompey side for tomorrow's game at Blackpool will be unchanged from that which destroyed Newcastle United on Wednesday. Pompey: Butler, Hindmarsh, Ferrier, Scoular, Flewin, Dickinson, Harris, Reid, Clarke, Phillips, Froggatt. 

Pompey will face a Blackpool side weakened by the absence of Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortenson, who have both been included in the England side to face Scotland. 

A number of Pompey supporters have been in Blackpool since yesterday, and several more coachloads are expected to arrive tomorrow morning. 

Since being promoted to the First Division in 1926/27  Pompey have never amassed 50 points in a season, but they hit that total (with eight games to spare) with their big win at Newcastle earlier this week. 

Pompey's match against Manchester United at Maine Road on Saturday 7th May will be the last to be played at that ground by United before moving back to Old Trafford in time for the start of next season.  

Pompey Reserves play Southampton Reserves in the Combination Cup at Fratton Park tomorrow. (3pm). The Saints will include their England international right-back Alf Ramsey in their line-up as he returns from injury. 

Before the Reserves match at Fratton Park the final of the Portsmouth Lads' cup will be played between Gosport Borough Athletic and Fareham Town. Kick-off is at 1.30pm. 

Pompey "A" cross to the Isle of Wight tomorrow to face East Cowes Victoria in Hampshire League Division Two. Portsmouth "B" play a friendly against R.E.M.E at Rat Lane.

Saturday 9:  A controversial 53rd minute goal by Rex Adams consigned off-colour Pompey to a 1-0 defeat against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this afternoon. 

The Blackpool outside-right appeared to be yards offside when he received a pass, and all of the other 21 players stopped as he ran on to fire into the net, but to the amazement of everyone in the ground the goal was allowed to stand. 

Pompey had defended well until that point, and Dickinson in particular was outstanding, but they were well below their best going forward. They perked up slightly after the setback of conceding a goal but were clearly second best to the Seasiders. 

A win for Newcastle this afternoon has closed the gap at the top of the First Division table to three points. Pompey will therefore be looking to maximise their return on the forthcoming Easter Programme of three games in the space of four days.

The Easter schedule has Pompey facing Birmingham City at Fratton Park on Good Friday, and Wolves (also at home) just 24 hours later. On Easter Monday they travel to St Andrews for the return fixture with Birmingham. Match Summary: Blackpool 1, Portsmouth 0

A Fratton Park crowd of nearly 8,000 saw Pompey Reserves beat Saints Reserves 1-0 at Fratton Park this afternoon. A second-half goal from Lindy Delapenha secured the deserved win. Match Summary: Portsmouth Reserves 1, Southampton Reserves 0

April 10  Pompey’s result at Blackpool yesterday was given the "thumbs down" by the sailor in last night's Football Mail.

This is how last night's West Lancs Evening Gazette reported on the match at Bloomfield Road. 

← Back to April 1-3 / → Forward to April 11-17