Pompey fans will remember today's referee

Gavin Ward takes charge of Pompey's game against Accrington Stanley at Fratton Park today.

By The Newsroom

Published 11th Feb 2017, 11:00 BST

Updated 1st Mar 2017, 09:32 BST

Gavin Ward awarded Pompey a controversial late penalty in their 1-0 win at Exeter earlier this season Picture: Joe Pepler

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.

Ward 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.