December 19-25: Defeat At Blackpool On Xmas Eve
Monday 19: Pompey have announced that only shareholders (privilege ticket holders) and season ticket holders will be able to apply for stand tickets for the forthcoming FA Cup tie against Third Division (South) Norwich City at Fratton Park.
Tuesday 20: Following their failure to sign Sheffield Wednesday's inside-forward Eddie Quigley it has emerged that Pompey watched West Bromwich Albion's Jack Haines last Saturday, but they were not sufficiently impressed to make an offer.
Pompey's players are in only light training this week ahead of their hectic Christmas programme of three matches in four days. On Christmas Eve they play at Blackpool. On Boxing Day they are at Charlton and 24 hours later Charlton visit Fratton Park
Saturday 24: Pompey are hoping to get their Christmas off to a good start by bringing home a point or two from their match at Blackpool this afternoon. Just one point separates the clubs in the First Division table.
Pompey will once again be without Jimmy Scoular when they face Blackpool this afternoon. The influential Scotsman has been resting a troublesome knee. The Blues make one team change: Duggie Reid replaces Dan Ekner in their attack.
The full Pompey side to face Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this afternoon will be: Butler, Hindmash, Ferrier, Spence, Flewin, Dickinson, Harris, Clarke, Reid, Phillips, Froggatt.
Pompey Reserves are also away from home this afternoon. They face Watford at Vicarage Road and the team will be: Leather, Rookes, Stephen, Gunter, Cairney, Pickett, Dawson, Delapenha, Elder, Gordon, Bennett.
British Railways are running a "football special" for Pompey's match against Charlton at The Valley on Boxing Day.
The final whistle has sounded at Bloomfield Road and Pompey are returning home empty-handed from their Christmas Eve visit to Blackpool.
Result: Blackpool 2 - 1 Pompey Pompey goalscorer: Peter Harris Attendance: 25,953
Christmas hasn't got off to the start Pompey were hoping for. They slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Blackpool this afternoon, their sixth consecutive reversal at Bloomfield Road.
The Tangerines took the lead in the 12th minute when a deceptive cross from Matthews was headed home by McCall. Harry Ferrier prevented Pompey from falling further behind when he kicked a goal-bound effort off the line.
Pompey levelled after 25 minutes when Peter Harris jinked his way through the home defence and swept a shot past Farm from the edge of the penalty area.
Blackpool regained the lead mid-way through the second half when McCall collected Matthews’ square pass and beat Ernie Butler with a low shot.
Despite a spirited late attempt to claw their way back into the match Pompey were unable to turn possession into goals.
Pompey are now dashing to Preston to pick up the Glasgow to London express. They should arrive home in the early hours of tomorrow (Christmas Day). Their two matches against Charlton, on 26th and 27th of December, are now very much on their mind
Match Summary: Blackpool 2, Portsmouth 1
Pompey Reserves beat Watford Reserves 1-0 at Vicarage Road this afternoon. Johnny Gordon scored the goal late in the second half.
Watford Reserves 0 Portsmouth Reserves 1
Pompey officials this morning joined a large number of mourners at the funeral of Mr Thomas Dines. Mr Dines, who died earlier this week, was the Evening News journalist who reported Pompey affairs as "Linesman" in the 1920s and 1930s.
Blackpool Complete Season's "Double" - Ranger reports on the defeat for Pompey at Bloomfield Road this afternoon. (From tonight's Football Mail).
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