Non-league opposition for third straight year as Portsmouth seek FA Cup progress
Pompey are to face non-league opposition in the FA Cup for a third successive season.
King’s Lynn Town stand in the way of Kenny Jackett’s men reaching the FA Cup’s third round following tonight’s draw.
The Blues will host the National League side at Fratton Park on the weekend of November 27-30.
For Pompey it will be yet more non-league challengers in the competition, having come up against Maidenhead (2019), Harrogate Town (2020) and Altrincham (2020) in recent years.
Managed by former Norwich defender Ian Culverhouse, King’s Lynn are presently 17th in the National League having been promoted from National League North last season.
The Linnets had never previously reached the first round proper until this term, although they were aided by good fortune.
Notts County had to cancel their scheduled fourth-qualifying round clash last month following a coronavirus outbreak among a squad which contained ex-Pompey skipper Michael Doyle.
By default, that propelled King’s Lynn into the first round for the first time – where they were matched with Port Vale.
Culverhouse’s men then eliminated the League Two side with an 82nd-minute winner at Vale Park in a 1-0 triumph on Saturday.
That allowed them to remain in the Monday night’s draw, with Danny Cowley picking their ball out for a Fratton Park encounter with Pompey.
Just once in the Blues’ history have they lost to a non-league side in a competitive fixture.
That was in November 2014, when Andy Awford’s men perished 1-0 at Aldershot in a first-round replay following a 2-2 Fratton Park draw.
Mark Molesley netted the only goal of the game nine minutes from time – and is currently the manager of League Two strugglers Southend United.
Pompey reached this year’s second round following a 3-2 extra-time triumph at Ipswich on Saturday, with Sean Raggett grabbing the winner.