REPORT: Pompey 3, Preston 1

Colby Bishop made his Championship debut and rounded off that magical moment with a goal from the penalty spot in Portsmouth’s first victory at Fratton Park this season.

The number 9 underwent heart surgery this summer, after doctors found a complication with his heart during the preseason testings’ in July. 

Josh Murphy and Connor Ogilive put the blues 2-0 at half-time, with Emil Riis pulling one back five minutes into the second half. 

Bishop was subbed on at 78’ minutes, but it was run from a Callum Lang 2 minutes from time who was clattered down by Andrew Hughes, making referee John Busby point to the spot. 

The title winning top scorer was handed the ball by Lang, before he then converted, the ball into the bottom left corner, sending Freddie Woodman the wrong way. 

The Blue Army made two changes from their midweek defeat to Plymouth, with Captain Marlon Pack coming in at centre back to replace Tom McIntyre.

Along with Terry Delvin who put in a stellar performance for the absent Jordan Williams, earning himself the man of the match reward. 

Before kickoff, the two teams paid their respects in a Remembrance ceremony to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives in honor of their country during war.

Both sides sported the red Poppy on their shirts, with Pompey in their home colours of Blue, White and Red and Preston in their traditional white home shirt, Navy shorts and white and Navy striped socks. 

It was a homecoming for former Pompey defender Jack Whatmough who made his return to the south coast, but it was an afternoon to forget for the Preston man. 

The hosts controlled large portions of the first half, which put Paul Heckingbottom’s back 3 under a lot of pressure from the get-go. 

Freddie Potts and Matt Ritchie had multiple corners defended by North End, causing frustration for Pompey who have struggled with taking the lead in games all season. 

But on 36 minutes it was Josh Murphy who made it 1-0 against his former club when the ball came falling his way outside the box, allowing him to volley home into the North End net. 

The Blues continued their momentum when West Ham loanee Potts fired in a corner which missed everyone in the area, before Connor Ogilvie tapped the ball home to extend his side's lead.

Half-Time: Pompey 2, Preston 0

Heckingbottom and his assistant Stuart McCall made 3 changes ahead of the restart. 

Mads Frokjaer-Jensen came on for Captain Ben Whiteman, Ryan Ledson on for Duane Holmes and cousin of blues midfielder Freddie Potts - Brad Potts was replaced by Icelandic International Stefan Teitur Thordarson. 

Then just 4 minutes into the second half it was the Danish substitute Frokjaer-Jensen who played a ball through to the big number 9 Riis who eased past Regan Poole to claw one back for the Lilywhites. 

PNE then had chances to equalize and draw the game level, but John Mousinho’s side kept level-headed and defended well, which was not how they played when they had leads at home most recently against Oxford and Sheffield Wednesday. 

Experienced heads like Matt Ritchie and Pack helped those with less Championship know how see the game out. 

Ritchie then came off Christian Saydee who went into the number 10 spot, pushing Lang out wide. 

Mousinho then made the highlighting substitution which saw Colby Bishop come on to make his first appearance since April, along with Owen Moxon who made only his second Championship appearance to date.

Sam Greenwood was off for Jeppe Okkels for North End, followed by Josh Bowler coming on for Ali McCann 3 minutes later. 

Josh Murphy was the blues final sub, as he came off for the returning Paddy Lane, who has not played since the defeat to Cardiff in South Wales where he went off with an Achilles Tendon Injury. 

Then on 88’ minutes Lang was brought down by Hughes in the penalty area, giving Pompey a penalty and a chance to kill off the game for good.

Bishop stepped up from the spot and converted past Woodman, ensuring it was a day to remember, after what has been a very difficult road to recovery for the Pompey striker the past 5 months.

Full-Time: Pompey 3, Preston 1

After the final whistle at Fratton Park, Pompey Live's James Wilson spoke on the touchline with Portsmouth boss John Mousinho:

Tune in to The Football Hour this Monday (November 11th) evening from 6pm as Jake Smith reviews the game with the help of 2 Blues supporters!