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Match Previews

Portsmouth Preview

9 November 2019

The reward for qualifying for the Emirates FA Cup first round proper is a tie against 2008 winners Portsmouth.

Kenny Jackett's side travel to The CNG Stadium for a highly-anticipated match in front of the BT Sport cameras. 
 
Town's impressive unbeaten streak came to an end in their last fixture, losing to Eastleigh 4-2, an “off-day” according to Simon Weaver, but Harrogate's boss is hoping Town can “bounce back in style” against Portsmouth.
 
From the visitors last six league games, they've accumulated nine points from a possible 18. Wins against Southend (4-1) and Lincoln (1-0) were accompanied by three draws and a defeat to AFC Wimbledon.
 
Following the 4-1 victory over Southend, Portsmouth reached five wins for the season, climbing to 13th in the table with 21 points.
 
Pompey are eight points clear from the relegation zone and 12 points away from top of the table Ipswich after 15 games.
 
The south coast side have hit the back of the net 20 times this season, with midfielder Gareth Evans the top contributor with four.
 
At the other end, Portsmouth have conceded 16 with Scottish international Craig MacGillivray between the sticks.
 
MacGillivray will be a name that Town fans remember as the Scotsman spent two seasons at The CNG from 2012-14, making 90 appearances.
 
Kenny Jackett is the man in charge at Portsmouth. The experienced manager has previously won promotion with Millwall (2009-10) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (2013-14).
 
Jackett took charge of Portsmouth in 2017 and last season guided the club to the first stage of the League One play-offs when they narrowly lost 1-0 to Sunderland over the two legs.
 
However, Portsmouth did add silverware to their trophy cabinet, defeating the Black Cats in the EFL Trophy. The score was two a piece after 120 minutes, with Pompey claiming a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win at Wembley Stadium.
 
A Town win on Monday night would go down as a giant killing and achieve progression to the second round, something which hasn't been achieved since the 2012-13 season.
 
Preview by Henry Whitaker

Tickets are close to selling out for this historic clash, remaining tickets in the Myrings Terrace and Envirovent Stand can be purchased through the below link.

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