Young Blues hit four goals without reply
Pompey Academy returned to winning ways in fine style with a 4-0 victory over MK Dons at Furze Lane.
Tommy Scutt, Eddie Wakley and Ousman Saidy all missed good opportunities in the first half and it looked like the sides would be heading in level at the break.
But Jez Bedford finally broke the deadlock on 43 minutes, picking the ball up on the edge of the area and firing in a shot that nestled in the bottom corner of the net.
And there was still time for another goal just before the interval, with Matt Mayes neatly finishing following good work from Matt Casey and Dan Smith down the left.
Pompey continued to push forward in the second half and extended their advantage when Scutt (pictured) danced his way into the area and slotted the ball under the keeper.
Substitute Bradley Lethbridge then wrapped things up with his first goal at under-18 level late on, cutting inside from the left and curling home.
Academy coach Mikey Harris said: “It was one of our best performances of the season and a great team effort.
“All of the lads applied themselves well and we used the ball to great effect, passing it around nicely and dominating possession.
“We were ruthless in both boxes and scored four very good goals – including a first for Bradley at this level after stepping up from the under-16s.
“The second one really epitomised the way we played, with plenty of patient possession, a fine delivery from Dan and then Matt’s finish. The boys made it look easy.
“That’s an achievement against a technically strong MK Dons side, who will always provide you with a good game of football.
“It’s never going to be a scrappy battle when you come up against them and that’s exactly the way we like it.
“We’re always more concerned with the performances at this level, but if you play as well as we did then results will take care of themselves.”
Pompey: Hall (Collins 61); Saidy (Dandy 68 (Lethbridge 71)), Wakley (c) (Hancott 87), Casey; Chandler, Scutt, Widdrington, Smith (Flint 76), Bedford; Woodward, Mayes