SKY BET LEAGUE 1      
Tuesday October 27th, 7.45pm      
Fratton Park

PORTSMOUTH 4
John Marquis 39, 47
Ronan Curtis 50
Marcus Harness 83

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0

Portsmouth: Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Lee Brown, Ryan Williams (sub Bryn Morris 90), Tom Naylor, Andy Cannon (sub Ben Close 90), Ronan Curtis, John Marquis, Marcus Harness
Subs not used: Alex Bass, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Cam Pring, Haji Mnoga, Jordy Hiwula
 
Cobblers: Jonathan Mitchell, Michael Harriman, Cian Bolger, Fraser Horsfall, Alan Sheehan (sub Joe Martin 78), Ryan Watson, Jack Sowerby, Christopher Missilou (sub Danny Rose 58), Sam Hoskins, Ricky Korboa (sub Caleb Chukwuemeka 66), Harry Smith
Subs not used: Steve Arnold, Mark Marshall, Nicky Adams, Luka Racic

Referee: Trevor Kettle

Booked:
Portsmouth: Ryan Williams (56), Marcus Harness (60)
Cobblers: Cian Bolger (43, 4th of the season)

5 cautions on or before 19 games; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension 
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension

Sent off:
Portsmouth: none      
Cobblers: none

Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.

New signing defender Alan Sheehan came straight into the Northampton Town side for the midweek trip to Portsmouth. Ryan Watson and Harry Smith were also re-called to the starting line-up while former Cobblers loanee John Marquis led the line for Pompey.

The first real opening of the night went the way of the Cobblers but after a great initial run into the area Ryan Watson dragged his shot wide of the post. Jonathan Mitchell saved comfortably from Lee Brown in a tight opening 30 minutes, the Cobblers defending well and really restricting Portsmouth.

Watson side-footed over from the edge of the area following a fluid counter-attack before Portsmouth took the lead, the ball cannoning in off John Marquis after Mitchell made a good initial save to deny Ryan Williams. Marquis then had a chance to make it 2-0 when he was played in by Marcus Harness but shot straight at Mitchell.

Craig MacGillivray saved from Ricky Korboa at the start of the second half with Watson’s follow-up effort blocked. Portsmouth then doubled their lead moments later, John Marquis again in the right place at the right time to tuck home after a good initial save from Mitchell.

Pompey’s tails were now up and within three minutes they increased their lead further, Ronan Curtis with a cool finish into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.

MacGillivray tipped over a well-struck free-kick from debutant Sheehan with Danny Rose and Caleb Chukwuemeka coming on as the Cobblers tried to pull a goal back. Sheehan then made way for Joe Martin as Keith Curle made his final change.

Marcus Harness headed home to make it 4-0 and that proved to be the final score.

PORTSMOUTH MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (5) 9
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 5
CORNERS: (6) 7       
FOULS: (8) 17       
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)      
SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 5
CORNERS: (1) 3
FOULS: (7) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1