January 24-31: Forty Seven Thousand Cram Into Fratton For The Cup

Monday 24:  Some strong words here from "Olympian" on the state of the Upton Park pitch when Pompey Reserves played there last week. "...an expanse of mud..." "...a continuous squelching noise." And confusion over the kick-off time too!

Pompey will play in red jerseys and black shorts when they meet Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round of the Cup at Fratton Park on Saturday. Cup rules require both clubs to change colours where there would be a clash. The Owls will play in white 

Tuesday 25:  Pompey supporters have been critical of the club's distribution of seat tickets for the FA Cup fourth round tie against Sheffield Wednesday at Fratton Park on Saturday. Queues formed before 7am yesterday and tickets sold out within half an hour.

Mr J Narey was another unlucky regular. "There should be some system whereby consistent followers should have priority. Some people who get tickets don't know the first thing about football and only go for the thrill of a cup-tie," he said. 

Mr L G Moss of Southampton Road, Fareham, would like to see a loyalty scheme whereby the club issue vouchers at each match. Those holding the most vouchers "would have preference over those who do not know what a football looks like" he suggests. 

Pompey Secretary Mr Dan Clarke has responded to criticism of the club's distribution of stand tickets for Saturday's cup-tie against Sheffield Wednesday

From tonight's Evening News: An interesting idea in a letter from Pompey supporter Mr Llewellyn of Emsworth. 

Wednesday 26:  Saturday's big cup-tie against Sheffield Wednesday at Fratton Park will pit cousin against cousin. Jack Froggatt (left) will be at outside-left for Pompey, while Redfern Froggatt will occupy the inside-left berth for the Owls. 

Thursday 27:  With their big FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday now just two days away, Pompey's manager, Mr Bob Jackson, has called on the club's supporters to keep doing what they do best.

Poor weather has caused Pompey to abandon plans for a day of golf at Worthing today. Instead there will be a normal training session at Fratton Park. 

The Hampshire FA have considered a complaint from Romsey Town FC about the condition of the pitch for their Hampshire League match against Pompey "A" at Portchester, and decided that the result should stand.

Friday 28:  No cup-tie since Pompey's successful trek to Wembley in 1939 has aroused such interest in the City as the fourth round match against Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow. Fratton Park officials are expecting a crowd of more than 45,000.

Pompey will once again be unchanged tomorrow. Kick off is at 2.30pm and extra time will be played if the scores are level after 90 minutes. 

Pompey Reserves are without a match tomorrow despite Mr Bob Jackson's efforts to arrange a friendly.

The Pompey "A" team have a Hampshire League fixture against Portsmouth Electricity at Cosham tomorrow. The team will be: Aslett, Spence, Butler, Duggins, Field, Andrews, Wood, Henderson, Asher, Elder, Evans. 

Elsewhere in the Portsmouth sporting community, boxing promoter Mr Harry Garcia has a tremendous bill in store for us at The Ring, Wimbledon Park, Southsea next Tuesday.

Saturday 29:  A Fratton Park crowd of 47,614 - just short of a ground record - roared Pompey into the fifth round of the FA Cup this afternoon. They came from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1, the Pompey goals coming from Peter Harris and Len Phillips.

All turnstiles except those in Fogmore Road had to be closed half an hour before kick-off. The atmosphere reached fever pitch when Flewin led out the Pompey team and the "Chimes" rang across the ground. 

Pompey had the better of the early exchanges, but Wednesday shocked the huge crowd by taking the lead through Quigley after 19 minutes. 

Within three minutes Pompey were level. Froggatt delivered a delightful corner from the right and Harris rose above the Owls' defence to head it home.

Pompey went ahead on the hour mark. Clarke weighted a lovely pass into the path of Phillips, who kept his cool to stroke the ball past the advancing 'keeper and into the net.

Harris had a good opportunity to make the game safe but his shot went wide. Then Butler had to be alert to save from Quigley when the Owls had a last-minute chance to force a replay. 

So Pompey's dreams of a league and cup double are still very much alive. Let us hope the draw for the fifth round will be kind to them when it is made on Monday lunchtime. Match Summary: Portsmouth 2, Sheffield Wednesday 1

Elsewhere in the FA Cup today Southern League Yeovil pulled off a remarkable giant-killing by beating mighty Sunderland 2-1 at The Huish. Bradford Park Avenue held Manchester United 1-1 at Maine Road

Sunday 30: Did you remember to pick up your copy of the Football Mail last night?

Queues started to form around Fratton Park at about 7am yesterday morning as supporters gathered to claim their places on the terraces for the big cup-tie against Sheffield Wednesday. Here are some of the early arrivals.

From yesterday's City Extra edition of the Evening News: "The band kept the crowd in good humour.... When the Chimes were played hundreds of spectators swayed together in time to the music, which made it look as if the whole terrace was rocking." 

January 31  Pompey, who beat Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round of that FA Cup on Saturday, have been rewarded with another home tie. They will play Newport County or Huddersfield Town in the fifth round on Saturday 12th February.

The FA Cup replay between Huddersfield  and Newport County will take place next Saturday afternoon at Leeds Road. The teams drew 3-3 when they met at Newport two days ago. The eventual winners will face Pompey at Fratton Park in round five.

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