by Neil Weld
Pompey Academy conceded two late goals as they fell to a 4-1 defeat against Fulham at Motspur Park.
The Blues were 2-0 down at the interval but Elliot Wheeler’s strike got them back into the game on the hour.
They could not breach the Cottagers defence again, however, and the hosts secured victory with a penalty before adding a fourth in stoppage time.
Academy manager Andy Awford said: “I was disappointed with the performances of some of our lads in the first half and told them that at the break.
“We improved a lot in the second half and when Elliot (pictured) scored it was game on.
“We then created three or four good chances but didn’t take them and were punished by two late goals.
“You see the result and it’s easy to think we got a bit of a hammering, but it was much closer than the scoreline suggests.
“We brought in a few players who haven’t had much action this season to give them some game time. I think it showed that some of our lads were short on match practice.
“The bigger picture for us is about developing players for the first team, but it’s still disappointing to lose. We need to find the right balance between getting results and helping the lads improve.”
Fulham: Smith; Brister, Sanbou, O’Reilly, Richards; Minkwitz, Altman, Bettache; Della Verde (Tankovic 68), Banya (Safo Tieku 41); Wilson (Peniket 54)
Subs not used: Monguel, Norman
Pompey: Lawrence; Warren (Fitzharris 74), Webster (c), Triggs, Butler; Wheeler, Wallace, Branford (Awford 64); Maloney, Cook (Higgins 54); Harris
Subs not used: Grant, Jennings