by Neil Weld
Pompey Academy were beaten 1-0 by Coventry at the Wellington Sports Ground – their second successive defeat by a single goal.
Jonson Clarke-Harris scored the only goal of the game to seal victory for the Sky Blues.
Academy manager Andy Awford said: “There was a sense of déjà vu about the game. We created chances and deserved something from the game but lost by a single goal – just like we did against Liverpool last week.
“We had two great opportunities. Alex Grant should have scored with a close-range header, while Ryan Williams (pictured) has gone through and squared for George Colson, who has just failed to make a decent connection.
“Their goal was disappointing because we gave away possession, they counter-attacked quickly and scored.
“But we worked hard and competed. I can’t complain about a lack of effort – I’m just fed up of being unlucky.
“However, we were lacking in the final third and that’s something we’ll be looking to work on in training.
“We need to turn some of our defeats into draws and some of our draws into victories. But I’m confident that will happen and we can go on a run.”
Pompey: Gledhill; Tallack, Webster, Grant, Butler; Colson, Stockford (Awford 60), Wallace (Wheeler 60); Williams, Higgins (Harris 60); Maloney
Subs not used: Magri, Burns
Coventry: Fagan; Phillips, Willis, Henderson, Donald; Roberts, Ruffies, Daniels, Garner; Clarke-Harris, Richards (Rankine 75)
Subs not used: Gott, Pegg, Fletcher, Maund