Back to April 1950

April 17-30: Liverpool Are Beaten And Few Would Bet Against Pompey Now

Monday 17:  Pompey's Peter Harris has been selected to play for the Football League against the Irish League in Belfast on Wednesday 26 April. 

Some uncertainty remains regarding the date of Pompey's potentially-crucial League visit to Arsenal. The fixture was originally scheduled for Saturday 29 April, but Arsenal will be playing Liverpool in the FA Cup final on that day.

The Arsenal v Pompey match has been tentatively re-arranged for Wednesday 3 May, but if the Cup final is drawn Arsenal and Liverpool will replay on that date, with the Gunners facing Pompey just 24 hours later. 

Friday 21:  Pompey are expecting a crowd of approaching 50,000 for their top of the table clash with Liverpool at Fratton Park tomorrow. The Blues head the First Division with 49 points from 39 matches, but Liverpool have just one point fewer from 40 matches.

Reg Flewin is now back in full training following his eye injury, but has not been considered for inclusion in the Pompey team tomorrow. Otherwise the Blues will be at full strength, with Jimmy Dickinson back from international duty.

The full Pompey side to face Liverpool will be: Butler, Hindmarsh, Ferrier, Scoular, Spence, Dickinson, Harris, Reid, Clarke, Phillips, Froggatt.

On their way to Portsmouth today Liverpool called in at Wembley stadium for a familiarisation visit ahead of their FA Cup final appearance against Arsenal next week. 

Pompey Reserves go to The Dell tomorrow to face Saints Reserves in the Combination League. Team: Humpston, Stephen, Mansell, Gunter, Cairney, Thompson, Wood, Gordon, Ames, Elder, Bennett. 

Pompey "A" still have a chance of promotion to the First Division of the Hampshire League. Tomorrow they travel to East Cowes Vics and the team will be: Leather, Turner, Earl, Duggins, Field, Wilson, King, Delapenha, Edwards, Henderson, Parker. 

A fourth Pompey team will play Fareham in a friendly tomorrow. Team: Aslett, Butler, Feelar, Rutter, Howard, Andrews, Wilde, Lucas, Pearson, Leadbetter, Dridge.

Saturday 22:  With half an hour until kick-off in Pompey's big match against Liverpool, Fratton Park is already looking close to capacity. The visitors will be in their Wembley colours of white shirts with red collars and cuffs, and black knickers.

The final whistle has sounded at Fratton Park and Pompey are knocking on the door of their second successive League title!

Result: Pompey 2 - 1 Liverpool Pompey scorers: Duggie Reid, Jack Froggatt Attendance: 47,507

The first Fratton arrivals began to assemble shortly after dawn, and by the time Harry Ferrier led the Pompey team onto the pitch the crowd of 47,507 was at fever pitch. 

Pompey applied pressure from the start and frequently had Liverpool in retreat. The Blues had a penalty appeal waved away before Peter Harris and Len Phillips both missed the target by inches. 

Liverpool took the lead in the 52nd minute when Stubbins turned-in Liddell's lob into the area, but this reverse seemed to galvanise Pompey, who tore into the cup finalists straight from the re-start.

Pompey equalised after 61 minutes when Duggie Reid rose to meet a Peter Harris free-kick and powered his header past 'keeper Minshull.

Match Summary: Portsmouth 2, Liverpool 1

"POMPEY HAD TO FIGHT" - "Goal Down - Then All Out To Win A Brilliant Game" - "LAST MINUTE STORM" - The report on this afternoon's big match at Fratton Park from tonight's Football Mail

Southampton Reserves 2, Portsmouth Reserves 1

Sunday 23:  Few would now bet against Pompey retaining the League Championship - todays Sunday papers

Wednesday 26: Watford Reserves 0, Portsmouth Reserves 0 (Mid Week League)

Friday 28:  Pompey, who are on the verge of a second consecutive League Championship, are not in action tomorrow. Their fixture at Arsenal is postponed because the Gunners will be playing at Wembley in the FA Cup final against Liverpool.

Pompey's visit to Arsenal has been re-scheduled for next Wednesday, unless the Arsenal v Liverpool FA Cup final is drawn tomorrow, in which case the replay will take place next Wednesday and the Gunners will meet Pompey 24 hours later.

Pompey Reserves complete their Combination fixtures tomorrow when they play West Ham United Reserves at Fratton Park. Team: Humpston, Rookes, Stephen, Gunter, Cairney, Duggins, Wood, Gordon, Rees, Pickett, Bennett. 

Saturday 29: Portsmouth Reserves 4, West Ham United Reserves 0

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