Portsmouth labour to disappointing start to new campaign against Shrewsbury

Pompey laboured to a goalless draw with the Shrewsbury as the 2020-21 season started in frustrating fashion.
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The Blues struggled to find the attacking quality to break down a powerful and organised Shrews side at Fratton Park.

It was poor stuff for much of the afternoon in the sunshine behind closed doors before a late charge from the home side failed to reap dividends.

Aaron Pierre was sent off at the death after Tom Naylor, Lee Brown and Ryan Williams all went close.

The performance of Jack Whatmough on his 100th appearance was a positive but the outcome was a disappointment for Kenny Jackett’s side, who desperately need a quick start this term.

Pompey made one change from the team who triumphed over Colchester in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, with Lee Brown replacing Cameron Pring.

Otherwise it was the same squad who looked comfortable as they looked for their second quickfire home win in the late-summer sunshine.

Pompey started promisingly with both full-backs looking to push forward and Bryn Morris trying his luck with a powerful 25 yarder, which Matija Sarkic saved at the second attempt.

Portsmouth's John MarquisPortsmouth's John Marquis
Portsmouth's John Marquis

Then came a let off in the 12th minute was Brad Walker’s header cannoned back off the post and ricocheted off Craig MacGillivray, before Ethan Ebanks-Landell fired over the loose ball.

Then came a decision for ref Charles Breakspear to make in the 28th minute as John Marquis was pulled down by Aaron Pierre on the edge of the box, but the ref made it a yellow with players covering.

Lee Brown was a whisker away with the resulting free-kick but Pompey were having difficulty breaking down a powerful and organised Shrews side.

Marquis’s shot wasn’t far past the far post with a chip from a tight angle two minutes after the restart.

Then Walker should’ve scored when breaking into the box but dragging his shot horribly wide

Andy Cannon was sent on in the 54th minute for Gareth Evans, as the labouring Blues looked for some spark.

Whatmough threatened from a corner as a sweeping first-time shot was saved by Sarkic in the 66th minute.

Then Curtis rose high but headed wide at the back post after being picked out by Whatmough.

Pompey produced a flying break through Williams, Marquis and then Cannon with 15 minutes left, but the sub dallied at the crucial moment and then his pass across the box sees the move dissipate.

Then Raggett’s header was blocked by a white shirt as the Blues began to press late on.

Brown hit a 45-yard free-kick which so nearly caught out Sarkic before Williams’ goalbound header was deflected wide with 10 minutes left.

But it was MacGillivray who saved his side with time running out with a top-drawer reaction stop from Rekeil Pyke.

And then Naylor’s header came back off the bar from Brown’s cross at the death as it ended goalless.