Pompey fans will remember today's referee
Ward, from Surrey, has refereed 26 games this season, dishing out 94 yellow cards and four reds.
He officiated Exeter’s 4-0 drubbing of Crewe Alexandra last Saturday, during which he sent off Alex midfielder Charlie Kirk for a lunging tackle on Jake Taylor.
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Hide AdWard has officiated Pompey twice already this season, with Paul Cook’s side winning one and losing one.
He took charge of the Blues’ 1-0 away victory at Exeter in August, awarding a controversial 85th-minute penalty for Pierce Sweeney’s foul on Kal Naismith, from which Gary Roberts scored the winner.
Ward also refereed Pompey’s 2-1 defeat to Wycombe in the FA Cup first round back in November.
Craig Hicks and Adrian Tranter have been selected as linesmen, while Marc Wilson will be fourth official.