April 1-9: Two Wins But A Loss Sees Pompey Fifth With A Mountain To Climb
Saturday 1: A fine drizzle is sweeping down the pitch on a stiff beeze at the Victoria Ground, where kick-off in Pompey's important match against Stoke City is five minutes away.
The final whistle has sounded at The Victoria Ground, and Pompey are going home with two points that keep them right in the Championship race.
Result: Stoke City 0 - 1 Pompey Pompey goal scorer: Peter Harris Attendance: 27,000
A goal from Peter Harris early in the second half gave Pompey a priceless victory over Stoke City in the Potteries this afternoon.
Stoke led Pompey a merry dance in the first half, and the visitors were a little fortunate to be level at the break.
Pompey were now posing all the problems, but they suffered a blow when skipper Reg Flewin suffered a nasty-looking eye injury after colliding with team-mate Harry Ferrier. Flewin left the field to a sympathetic ovation from the home crowd.
Stoke again piled on the pressure as they tried to take advantage of Pompey's misfortune, but the Blues held firm, with Duggie Reid now at the heart of the rearguard.
Reg Flewin returned to the fray, his shirt heavily bloodstained, with ten minutes remaining. He was soon rallying his men, and the Blues hung on for the important victory.
Pompey can now look ahead with confidence to their crucial Easter programme of three matches in four days. They have two home matches - Fulham and West Bromwich Albion - on Friday and Saturday, followed by a return meeting with Fulham on Monday.
Stoke City 0, Portsmouth 1
Two goals in the last ten minutes from John Atyeo brought a drab game to life and gave Pompey Reserves a 2-0 victory over Reading Reserves in the Combination Cup fixture at Fratton Park this afternoon.
Match Summary: Portsmouth Reserves 2, Reading Reserves 0
"Pompey Keep In Race For The Championship" - from tonight's Football Mail.
Monday 3: Pompey are concerned about the injury suffered by Reg Flewin during the win at Stoke City on Saturday. The influential centre-half and captain could see out of only one eye when he reported to Fratton Park for training this morning.
Tuesday 4: Jimmy Dickinson and his England team-mates are to be vaccinated against smallpox ahead of the match against Scotland at Hampden Park on April 15. The move follows an outbreak of the disease in Glasgow. So far it has claimed two lives.
Wednesday 5: For Pompey's match at Fulham on Good Friday British Railways are supplementing their normal services to London with a "football special", leaving Portsmouth Harbour at 10.38am. The return fare is 10s 3d.
Match Summary: Portsmouth Reserves 3, Leyton Orient 0
Thursday 6: Reg Flewin's eye injury will keep him out of Pompey's team to face Fulham at Fratton Park tomorrow. His place at centre-half will be taken by Billy Spence.
The full Pompey line-up will be: Butler, Hindmarsh, Ferrier, Scoular, Spence, Dickinson, Harris, Reid, Clarke, Pickett, Froggatt.
After tomorrow's match against Fulham at Fratton Park, Pompey are at home again just 24 hours later when West Bromwich Albion will be the visitors. Then, on Easter Monday, Pompey go to Craven Cottage for the return meeting with Fulham.
Pompey Reserves' Easter programme will see them play at Fulham tomorrow, then at Chelsea the following day. On Easter Monday they entertain Ipswich Town at Fratton Park.
The Pompey Reserves side to face Fulham tomorrow is: Humpston, Rookes, Stephen, Thompson, Cairney, Duggins, Wood, Delapenha, Edwards, Phillips, Bennett.
Pompey "A" team will be in Hampshire League action against Salisbury at Bridgemary tomorrow. Team: Leather, Turner, Mansell, Gunter, Howard, Beale, King, Elder, Ames, Henderson, Hunt.
Friday 7: Pompey go into their Easter programme three points behind the First Division leaders with seven games remaining. Kick-off in their match against Fulham at Fratton Park this afternoon is in ten minutes.
The final whistle has sounded at Fratton Park and Pompey have got their Easter programme off to a perfect start!
Result: Pompey 3-0 Fulham Scorers: Peter Harris (2), Jack Froggatt Attendance: 39,342
Peter Harris was at his brilliant best as Pompey beat Fulham 3-0 at Fratton Park this afternoon. The Blues were always in command, and at times played the type of football that left the crowd of 39,342 breathless with excitement.
Harris fired Pompey into an 18th minute lead, running past three defenders before beating Fulham 'keeper Kelly from an acute angle.
Harris' second goal came four minutes into the second half when Ike Clarke put him through, and the winger drew the goalkeeper and calmly planted the ball into the net.
There was no stopping Harris and with 57 minutes gone he once again outstripped the Fulham defence, and when he delivered his centre Jack Froggatt powerfully headed home.
With their Easter off to such a good start Pompey can now look forward with confidence to tomorrow aftenoon when they are at home again, to West Bromwich Albion. On Monday they travel to Fulham.
Match Summary: Portsmouth 3, Fulham 0
Match Summary: Fulham Reserves 2, Portsmouth Reserves 4
Saturday 8: Centre-forward Ike Clarke pulls up as Fulham 'keeper Kelly grabs the ball at Fratton Park yesterday. Pompey beat the Cottagers 3-0 in front of 39,342.
For this afternoon's meeting with West Bromwich Albion at Fratton Park Pompey make one change from the side that beat Fulham yesterday. Duggie Reid has a swollen ankle and his place at inside-right goes to Len Phillips.
The full Pompey team to face West Bromwich Albion is: Butler, Hindmarsh, Ferrier, Scoular, Spence, Dickinson, Harris, Phillips, Clarke, Pickett, Froggatt.
Pompey Reserves, who recovered from being 2-0 down to win 4-2 at Fulham yesterday, continue their Easter programme with a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea this afternoon.
Pompey go into their meeting with West Bromwich Albion two points behind league-leaders Liverpool, who have played a game more:
Liverpool P37 Pts 47
Man Utd P37 Pts 46
Sunderland P36 Pts 46
Pompey P36 Pts 45
Blackpool P35 Pts 44
Wolves P35 Pts 43
The final whistle has sounded at Fratton Park and Pompey have lost ground in the race for the First Division title. Result: Pompey 0 - 1 West Bromwich Albion Attendance: 33,903
Pompey were dealt a blow to their League Championship hopes by losing to West Bromwich Albion this afternoon. The defeat was Pompey's first at Fratton Park since August, and only their second since December 1947.
The Blues had most of the possession in the first half, and had an appeal for a penalty turned down when a defender appeared to handle.
Peter Harris missed Pompey's best chance of the match, but the knock-out blow came 15 minutes from time when Ryan's hopeful 30-yard cross-shot sailed over a number of players and into the corner of the net.
Pompey drop to fifth in the table as a result of this defeat, and they may well have a mountain to climb if they are to fulfil their dream of retaining the Championship.
Match Summary: Portsmouth 0, West Bromwich Albion 1
Chelsea Reserves 3, Portsmouth 0
"Home Defeat Blow to Hopes of the Championship" from tonight's Football Mail
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