1st September 2014

Yeovil Town are back in action this coming Tuesday as Portsmouth visit Huish Park in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round.

The southern half gets underway this coming midweek and the Glovers have been drawn at home to the former FA Cup winners – the game kicks off at 7:45pm on Tuesday.

This is, of course, Yeovil’s return to the JPT after a year off in the Championship last season, but will consider this competition a chance to build some form, earn some prize money and hopefully get a chance at a Wembley victory this season.

Two years ago, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final was within touching distance of the Glovers as they fell in the Southern Semi Final to a last ditch Leyton Orient goal.

Orient went on to lose in the Area final sending Southend through to the Wembley show piece.

That run saw a huge number of Yeovil fans get behind the side with over 700 travelling to Orient for a midweek fixture and it’s hoped that the same support can be gathered this season.

Portsmouth on the other hand are used to winning far more distinguished silverware, they are FA Cup winners as recently as 2008 with another final appearance two years later.

They have since plummeted down the divisions and now find themselves resurgent in League Two and beginning to build back to being a force to be reckoned with.

Their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy history has seen them eliminated in the southern area quarter final to Newport last season and dumped out in the second round by Wycombe the year before.

It is worth noting a few rules changes that supporters may come across this Tuesday night, firstly the introduction of vanishing spray from the referees.

Its success at the World Cup has seen it introduced in the Premier League while the Football League has agreed to its use in this cup competition.

Secondly, there are only five named substitutes as opposed to the normal seven, giving two members of the squad a chance to get that extra game’s rest in – as per the league, any three can come on.

Finally, should the game be level after 90 minutes, there is no extra time, but the game goes straight to penalty kicks.

Onto the two teams and Yeovil will be hoping to extend their mini unbeaten run; a win and two draws have seen Gary Johnson’s men claim 5 points from three games and will want to maintain momentum for the league campaign.

As for Portsmouth, they haven’t had it their own way of late. They lost 1-0 to Newport County on Saturday and that was off the back of a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Premier League Stoke in the Capital One Cup.

With the cup competition providing an opportunity for both managers to make a change or two there could be some chances for those on the fringes of both Gary Johnson and Andy Awford’s teams.

For Yeovil, Goalkeeper Artur Krysiak made his only other appearance in the Capital One Cup so could be in line for a recall, while all three of Saturday’s substitutes made significant impressions on the game to be in contention for a starting spot.

Elsewhere, Seth Nana Twumasi returned to the squad on Saturday after suspension and is available again this Tuesday.

At the time of writing, both managers have made no secret of the fact that a busy transfer deadline day could be ahead, so any new faces to either side will have to be registered in time and any loan additions given permission to play in the cup competitions from their parent club.

The same will apply to the Fratton Park outfit with Awford making six changes going into Saturday’s game from their cup match last midweek.

The two sides have met twice before in a competitive capacity, the 2012/13 season saw the sides cross paths in League One.

Yeovil and Pompey won the league match at each other’s home ground; at Huish Park Reuben Reid scored a consolation in a 2-1 defeat while at Fratton Park Dom Blizzard and Byron Webster scored in a 2-1 win for the Glovers.

Prior to that, a series a friendlies are that we can go back to in the hunt for some form, but as most of those ended in Portsmouth wins from their days in the Premier League they might be best skipping over.

Tickets for the match are available right up until kick off as always and are at a special discounted rate.

Adults can get in for just £10, Seniors and Young Persons get in for just £5 and Under 16s can gain entry for just a single pound.

With the kids back at school, why not stretch out their holidays that little bit further with an evening at the football?

Portsmouth look set to bring a large following as ever, so the green and white faithful are asked to respond in number.

If you want to get ahead of the game, you can book online HERE or call the ticket office at any point today (Monday) and speak to one of the friendly team.

If you can’t make it, don’t worry, the game will be live on Glovers Player and all the post match reaction will be available on all of the social networks.

It’s a big midweek cup tie and you can help Yeovil start their journey to Wembley.

Famous Fans : Jeremey Irons the actor and possibly most famously of all, John Portsmouth Football Club Westood.. yes, that’s his real name.

A foot in both camps:  Asmir Begovic, Martin Cranie, Conor Clifford, Stephen Henderson, Bondz Ngala, Luke Rodgers, John Sullivan, Marc Wilson and both clubs list Guy Whittingham among their favourite sons.

Did you know? Reputedly, the narrowest occupied domestic residence in Britain is in Manor Road, Portsmouth. Built around 1900, the front is 4ft 10in (147 cm) wide.