Pompey suffer Colchester defeat
Pompey Academy’s league title hopes were dealt a huge blow with a 3-0 defeat to Colchester at Furze Lane.
The visitors broke the deadlock just before half-time when Frankie Kent headed home Mike O’Donoghue’s free-kick.
Both sides had a goal ruled out for offside before Charlie Gardiner doubled Colchester’s advantage with a long-range effort on 70 minutes.
And Callum Harrison then let fly with a powerful shot from the edge of the box to secure victory United’s victory.
Academy coach Paul Hardyman said: “The title is out of our grasp now, but we felt that was the case before the game and decided to field an experimental side.
“We’re looking to play more of next year’s scholars to give them some vital experience.
“It does mean that our results might become more indifferent, but we need to build for the future and challenge some of our younger players.
“Colchester are a tough side and they played to their strengths, while we were a bit naïve at times.
“But that’s to be expected and it’s another important part of the learning curve as these players look to develop and improve.”
Pompey: Bass; Haunstrup, Field, Rutherford, Medway; Rwakawambwe (Smart 62), Close, May (Nilsen 75), Kim; Tarbuck, Chaplin (Gill 51)