Portsmouth heading to non-league neighbours for first time in 30 years in bid for cup glory
The teams are to meet at Love Lane in the cup competition this week
Pompey are to face one of their non-league neighbours for the first time in 30 years.
Not since August 1996 have the Blues locked horns with Petersfield, yet the Championship club are scheduled to face the Rams next week.
Petersfield Town are to host Pompey in the Portsmouth Senior Cup semi-finals on Thursday (April 2) at their Love Lane home.
The sides are battling to meet AFC Portchester in the final, with Gavin Spurway’s men booking their place in the week following a penalty shoot-out success over Gosport.
The Blues field their Academy side in the competition and reached this stage following a surprise 3-1 success at the Hawks in February, when Ciaran Martin, Jermaine Osifo and Tayo Singerr netted.
Now Petersfield represent the latest obstacle for Sam Hudson’s talented under-18s as decisions loom over which of the second-year scholars will be retained.
First trip since August 1996
The last time the Blues travelled to their neighbours was in August 1996, when Petersfield Town ran out 4-1 winners in a friendly.
That was very much a reserve team for Pompey, with the squad that day containing the likes of Chris Tardif, Andy Thomson, Russell Perrett, Jamie Howell, Danny Hinshelwood and Scott Bundy.
Triallist Gary Blissett, the former Wimbledon striker, had also been expected to feature for the visitors, yet pulled out in order to pursue a move to Wycombe.
The occasion before that was August 1994, when German triallist Rocco Milde scored twice in a 7-0 victory at Petersfield as part of pre-season.
The other players to get their names on the scoresheet for a strong Pompey XI were Lee Russell, Dave Wakefield, Guy Butters, Chris Burns and Matt Harris.
Also starting in that friendly against the Jewson Wessex League side were Alan Knight, Ray Daniel, Tony Dobson, Andy Awford, John Durnin, Jason Rees and Stuart Doling.
Pompey didn’t pursue their interest in Hannover 96 striker Milde, though, with boss Jim Smith subsequently passing up the chance to sign him.
Beat Royal Navy and Havant & Waterlooville
Back to the present and Hudson’s youngsters will be striving to maintain progress which has already seen them beat the Royal Navy and Hawks along the way, having received a first-round bye.
It remains to be seen whether Singerr is involved on Thursday night, having joined Gosport on loan earlier this month and subsequently scored two in four matches.
However, he was cup-tied for Borough’s midweek defeat to Portchester, which saw the Royals win 5-4 on penalties following a 4-4 draw in normal time.
Singerr netted Pompey’s third in their 3-1 win over the Hawks last month, with Harry Clout also featuring in the Westleigh Park fixture.
The Portsmouth Senior Cup semi-final takes place at 7.45pm at Love Lane on Thursday (April 2).