November 8-14: Delepenha Makes His Debut But Blackpool Make Point
Friday 12: Pompey have dropped both inside forwards for tomorrow's match against Blackpool at Fratton Park (2.30pm). 21 year-old Jamaican Lindy Delapenha replaces Bert Barlow. The experienced Ike Clarke will come in for Len Phillips
Portsmouth Reserves have a tough looking Combination League fixture against Arsenal Reserves at Highbury tomorrow. The team will be: Humpston, Yeuell, Drummond, Neave, Bowler, Thompson, Brown, Phillips, Asher, Elder, Parker.
The "A" side have an away fixture against White's Sports in the Hampshire League tomorrow. The team will be: Dore, Spence, Butler, Duggins, McCoy, Sanderson, Gordon, Lillington, Lawler, Beale, Evans.
Despite picking up just one point from their last three matches Pompey officials are expecting a crowd of more than 40,000 for tomorrow's match against Blackpool. They have once again appealed for supporters to arrive early.
Saturday 13: A crowd of more than 44,000 saw Pompey and Blackpool share the points with a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park this afternoon. Mortensen put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute, but Harris levelled for Pompey two minutes later.
There was a short delay in the teams emerging before kick-off as crowd-packers with loudspeakers appealed to spectators to clear the crowded gangways on the north terrace.
There was a lively opening to the match and Pompey should have gone ahead in the 11th minute when a clearance by Farm cannoned off Reid, but first Harris, then Clarke, failed to capitalise on the opportunity.
Delapenha was shaping up quite well on his debut. On the half-hour mark the Jamaican youngster unleashed a fierce drive which flew just wide of the upright.
The game remained tight, but the second half was notable mostly for the excessive use of the whistle by referee Mr P E Green (Wolverhampton).
The crowd roared as Harris’s blistering pace down the right outstripped Suart, but the winger’s shot was well saved by Farm.
Eight minutes from time Rookes brought down McIntosh in the penalty area. Mortensen drove the resulting spot kick past Butler to put the visitors ahead.
Pompey’s response was immediate. A terrific scramble in the Blackpool goalmouth saw the ball drop to Harris, who made no mistake with his shot on the turn. The equaliser sparked wild scenes among the huge crowd.
Portsmouth have now gone four matches without a win, and next week they face top-of-the-table Derby County at the Baseball Ground.
Match Summary: Portsmouth 1, Blackpool 1
Portsmouth Reserves lost 2-0 to Arsenal Reserves in their Combination League fixture at Highbury this afternoon.
Match Summary: Arsenal Reserves 2, Portsmouth Reserves 0
A point for Pompey, defeat for the Reserves, and a most peculiar ending to Ryde Sports v Newport Reserves. It was all in last night's Football Mail.
Sunday 14: Lindy Delapenha: the 21 year-old Jamaican made his first division debut for Pompey yesterday in the match against Blackpool at Fratton Park.
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