PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB

Paul Cook did not hide the fact that the league is his number one priority this season.

But that did not stop Pompey from playing their part in a seven-goal thriller at Yeovil in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Michael Smith netted a hat-trick for the visitors, although that was not enough to prevent a 4-3 defeat in the group stage clash.

The Blues had made 11 changes from the side that won at Exeter in their last League Two outing.

And Leam Richardson was pleased with the way they recovered from a slack first half to dominate after the break.

Pompey’s assistant manager said: “We put a team out that we thought was capable of winning the game and scoring – and we certainly did the latter.

“But we were very slack in our possession during the first half and that has cost us a couple of goals.

“We shored things up at the break, though, and limited them to next to nothing, while creating quite a few chances ourselves.

“Getting an early goal was important and we thought we could go on and get the victory from that point. That’s what we should have done.”

Richardson reserved particular praise for hat-trick hero Smith and was happy to see defender Matt Clarke make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a groin injury.

He said: “The 11 lads who started had been thrown together and we had Adam May at right-back, which obviously isn’t his natural position.

“But they’ve all got some useful minutes and sharpness, while Smudga got his hat-trick and left with the matchball.

“That’s why we brought him back here over the summer and why we feel he’ll be a big player for Portsmouth Football Club.

“Clarkey has worked hard with that fitness lads and they’ve done really well to get him back out there.”

Watch Leam's thoughts on the game below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for full Yeovil reaction.