POMPEY LOVE AFFAIR WITH TROPHY SET TO CONTINUE

THE EFL Trophy has its knockers — but Portsmouth fans have grown to love a competition that most supporters hate.

And it is no surprise given that they go into Tuesday night’s match against West Ham Under-21s with an unbeaten trophy record stretching back to

January 2018. By the time the Hammers’ youngsters run onto the Fratton Park, it will have ave been 1,037 days since Kenny Jackett’s (right) side last lost in the tournament.

Back in January 2018, Chelsea Under-21s beat them 2-1, a feat that no side has achieved since.

Pompey were crowned EFL Trophy winners in 2019, beating Sunderla Sunderland on penalties after the game finished in a 2-2 s stalemate.

The Wembley crowd of 85,021 was the second highest in Europe on that March weekend. The holders carried that form into the

2019-20 season, topping their group and then beating Northampton, Walsall, Scunthorpe and Exeter in the knockout rounds.

The onset of the coronavirus pandemic put paid to a final which would have pitted them against Football League new boys

Salford. But after being denied the chance to retain their title, Portsmouth have already beaten Southend and Colchester to reach the knock-out stages once again this season.

A win against West Ham would ensure that Portsmouth’s unlikely love affair continues for a good while longer.