by Neil Weld at Fratton Park
Pompey’s youngsters powered aside Bristol City at Fratton Park to ease into the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
The Blues created plenty of chances before the break with Josh Warren and Jack Maloney giving them a comfortable interval lead.
The visitors pulled one back at the start of the second half, but George Colson soon put their hopes of a comeback to bed.
Sam Magri missed the chance to get on the scoresheet when his spot-kick was saved, but Ashley Harris added a late brace to give the scoreline a gloss.
Andy Awford’s side included Ryan Williams – who has played first-team football this season – and England youth international Magri, who skippered the side.
It was Pompey who made the stronger start and Bristol City keeper Matt Sandiford had to claim Williams’ cross after the Australian winger had made a penetrating run.
Maloney was next to run at the Robins defence, but his tame shot was comfortably dealt with by Sandiford.
The hosts did not have it all their own way, however, and the Blues defence were relieved that Wes Burns’ dangerous low cross could not be met by a red-shirted player on nine minutes.
But the action was soon back down the other end of the pitch and Jed Wallace’s shot was deflected inches past the post.
Colson then hit a thunderous 20-yard volley narrowly wide, before Magri’s header just missed the target.
Midfielder Colson went close again moments later, sweeping Wallace’s cross wide as Pompey continued to pour forward.
But the Blues did break the deadlock on 20 minutes with WARREN bundling over the line from close range after Alex Grant had headed a dangerous ball back across the face of goal.
That failed to dampen Pompey’s attacking intent, however, with Colson heading inches wide after stooping to meet Wallace’s cross.
But it took a last ditch clearance from Grant to ensure the visitors did not level just before the break. The centre-back managed to hack Lewis Hall’s effort off the line after Blues keeper Matt Gledhill could only palm a shot clear.
Instead of going in level at the break, however, the Robins soon found themselves further behind.
It was MALONEY who doubled the Blues’ advantage, curling home a peach of a shot from the edge of the box.
And Pompey almost added a third in stoppage time, with only a fine Sandiford save denying Williams.
Half Time: Pompey 2 Bristol City 0
The Blues continued to attack at the start of the second half and Wallace fired just past the post.
But Bristol City pulled a goal back on 48 minutes when Hall converted from close range after great work on the right by Burns.
Pompey showed their ruthless streak, however, by snuffing out any hopes of a Robins comeback seconds later.
Harris whipped a superb cross into the box, where COLSON was waiting to head home and restore the hosts’ two-goal advantage.
The half calmed down slightly after such a manic opening, although Maloney and Magri both went close with fierce strikes.
At the other end, Jack Batten had a 30-yard free-kick deflected narrowly over the bar as Bristol City tried to mount a comeback.
Pompey had a great chance to extend their lead further on 76 minutes after Wallace was tripped in the box and referee Michael Webb pointed to the spot.
But although Magri hit his penalty cleanly, Sandiford guessed the right way and pushed the ball clear.
The Blues did add a fourth goal on 80 minutes, though, when HARRIS rose to meet Williams’ cross and send the ball past Sandiford’s grasp.
And HARRIS grabbed his second – and Pompey’s fifth – moments later, tapping home Elliot Wheeler’s low cross at the far post to complete the rout.
Pompey: Gledhill; Wheeler (Triggs 86), Warren, Grant, Butler; Wallace, Magri (c), Colson; Williams, Maloney (Higgins 86); Harris (Horsburgh 86)
Goals: Warren 20, Maloney 44, Colson 49, Harris 80, 83
Subs not used: Branford, Antelmi
Bristol City: Sandiford; Wright, Sims (Rigg 51), Abbott, Kapika (c); Medjedoub, Batten, Hall; Burns, Gordon (Gooden 79); Horgan (Douglas 58)
Goals: Hall 48
Booked: Douglas
Subs not used: Baird, John
Referee: Michael Webb
Attendance: 501