REPORT: Pompey 0, Wrexham 0

Photo Credit: Jason Brown

Despite Pompey recording 19 shots and 10 corners throughout the 90 minutes, they were unable to carve out a winning goal against Wrexham at Fratton Park.

The result means that John Mousinho’s side remains in 20th but now on 14 points, a firm 5 points above the drop.

There were 7 changes to the side that were defeated 4-0 by Birmingham last Saturday.

Colby Bishop, Josh Murphy, Connor Chaplin, Luke Le Roux, Connor Ogilvie, and Josh Knight came into the XI.

Makenzie Kick, Yang Min-hyeok, Márk Kosznovszky, John Swift, Jordan Williams, and Hayden Matthews dropped out.

Pompey played much more on the front compared to Saturday, and dominated Wrexham with a high press early on.

Connor Ogilvie, who returned to the XI after an illness, unfortunately had to be subbed just half an hour gone, after he was chopped down in a late challenge by Manchester City loanee Issa Kaboré on the edge of the byline near the halfway line.

Ogilvie attempted to play for a few minutes after the tackle, but was unable to and was subsequently subbed off for Jordan Williams, who filled in at left-back for the remainder of the game.

Josh Murphy had a chance to open the scoring, but the winger’s curled low effort at goal went just wide of Arthur Okonkwo’s net.

Inside the additional two minutes of added time, Connor Chaplin fired an encouraging effort from outside the area, but a deflected header by Kieffer Moore was just enough to put the ball out for a corner.

HALF-TIME: Portsmouth 0-0 Wrexham

The Blues began the second half, like they did the first, on the front foot and pressing the Red Dragons down any time they had the ball.

Jordan Williams created several chances, with one teeing up Andre Dozzell whose shot of the ball across the goal drifting past the post.

Williams then linked up with Murphy, where the duo went on to have a shot each, but both efforts at goal were firmly blocked away from the Wrexham backline.

Ibane Bowat, who managed to see out a first 90 minutes in over a year, came extremely close to his first Portsmouth goal, but the defender's downwards header was tipped away narrowly by Okonkwo.

The Arsenal Academy graduate in net continued to keep Wrexham in the game, with efforts from Murphy and Bishop also being denied by the Reds' number 1.

However, Pompey’s continued missed chances almost punished the Blues when Lewis O’Brien broke on the counterattack, where he was left one-on-one with Josef Bursik, who jumped down to make an impressive save to keep things level.

Chaplin came close in the second half to scoring his first goal in front of the Fratton End since 2018; however, the theme of Wrexham blocking the ball behind for a corner continued.

With ten minutes to go, Zak Swanson replaced Terry Devlin, and Marlon Pack replaced Luke Le Roux, who made his first start at home in the Championship.

Despite the flurry of efforts late into injury time, Pompey were unable to find the winning goal and had to settle for just one point instead of 3.

FULL-TIME: Portsmouth 0-0 Wrexham

 

Next up: John Mousinho’s side will make the 508 mile-round trip to East Yorkshire, as Pompey face Hull City at the MKM Stadium in a 12:30 kick-off.

Last season, the Blues managed to grab one of the very few points on the road, with a Josh Murphy equaliser early in the second half being enough on November 4th last year.

Can Portsmouth earn a win on the road against The Tigers? The Blues’ run without a win now stretches back before the October international break.

 

Portsmouth: 26. Bursik (GK), 5. Poole, 4. Knight, 17. Bowat, 3. Ogilvie (2. Williams) 16 Le Roux (Pack), 21. Dozzell, 24. Devlin (22. Swanson), 36. Chaplin, 23. Murphy, 9. Bishop (C) (Formation: 4-2-3-1)

Unused subs: 30. Killip (GK), 8. Swift, 11. Bianchini, 14. Matthews, 25. Kirk, 47. Min-hyeok

Bookings: Dozzell 11’, Bishop 73’, Murphy 90+3’

Head coach: John Mousinho

 

Wrexham: 1.  Okonkwo (GK), 4. Cleworth, 5. Hyam (C), 24. Scarr, 12. Kaboré, 18. Sheaf (Dobson), 37. James, 27. O’Brien (14. Thomason) 13. Cacace, 10. Windass (33. Broadhead), 19. Moore (28. Smith) (Formation: 3-5-1-1)

Unused subs: 25. Burton (GK), 2. Doyle, 9. Hardie, 29. Barnett, 47. Longman

Bookings: Sheaf 41’, Kaboré 69’, Scarr 73’

Manager: Phil Parkinson

 

Referee: Robert Madley

Venue: Fratton Park

Attendance: 19,877 (including 706 Wrexham fans)

 

Be sure to replay the Pompey Live: Extra-Time podcast to hear the analysis of Jake Smith, Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson, recorded LIVE from Fratton Park following the goalless draw between Portsmouth and Wrexham.

 

The next episode of The Football Hour this Friday (November 7th) evening with Jake Smith will contain further reaction to tonight's stalemate in PO4, as well as a look ahead to Saturday's trip to Hull City.

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